2026 PERSOL Climax Series Pacific League First Stage Game 2: Seibu Lions vs. Nippon-Ham (11th, Belluna Dome)

Seibu Lions starting pitcher Kona Takahashi left the mound after seven innings with four strike outs, five hits, and one runs. In his first Climax Series (CS) appearance since 2022, he delivered a passionate performance, throwing 127 pitches, which approached his season high.

In the first inning, he gave a Walk to Reyes with two outs, but got out of it by inducing Gunji to hit a ground ball to shortstop with a 152 km/h sinker. In the second inning, he gave a Walk to the lead-off hitter Mizuno, but induced the next batter Mannami into a third-base ground ball double play. With two outs and no runner, he gave up a center-field doble to Tamiya to put a runner on second again, but he struck out Narama, who had hit a Home Run in the previous game on the 10th, with a 137 km/h sweeper on the seventh pitch.

In the third inning, the leadoff batter Yazawa reached base on an infield hit, but he finished without any runs allowed, aided by the strong arm of his catcher, Kojima. In the fourth inning, he retired the side in order for the first time this game. In the fifth inning, leadoff batter Tamiya hit a single to right field, and a wild pitch put him in a pinch with a runner on second and no outs. Although he managed to get two outs with a runner on second, he gave up a timely doble to left-center field by Nomura, allowing the first run of the game.

Although he had already thrown 96 pitches after finishing five innings, he continued to pitch in the sixth and retired the side in order. In the seventh inning, he gave up a Walk with two outs, but ultimately got Yazawa to hit a ground ball to third base to end the inning.

The team will secure their spot in the next round of the Climax Series First Stage with either a win or a draw.