2026 PERSOL Climax Series Pacific League First Stage Game 2: Seibu Lions 0-1 Nippon-Ham (11th, Belluna Dome)

For the Seibu Lions, Kona Takahashi pitcher gave a powerful performance, throwing 127 pitches over 7 innings while allowing 4 hit and 1 runs, but the lineup could not break through against Tatsu. Shinjo's Ham has now pushed them to the brink of elimination in the CS. Manager Fumiya Nishiguchi tipped his hat, saying, 'Just like the regular season, we simply couldn't get the bats going.'

Canario, who hit a walk-off home run in the first game, managed a hit in the sixth inning but stalled with three struck out appearances. The manager, who had designated him as the lineup's 'key man,' called for a turnaround, saying, 'There were patterns where he was jammed and also a called strikeout, so he just has to reset his mindset and move forward.'

Regarding Takeuchi, who will start in the third game on the 12th, he expressed his hope for a brilliant performance, saying, 'If we lose, it's over. I think Takeuchi understands that, and since he was also the one who pitched when we won the interleague tournament, I believe he will pitch solidly.'