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

The Seibu Lions suffered a narrow defeat to Nippon-Ham. They were on the verge of advancing past the first stage of the Climax Series, but it has been put on hold. They will advance if they win or draw the third game, but will be eliminated if they lose.

It was a tense game from the start. The starting pitcher, Takahashi, allowed a runner in every inning from the first to the third, but he remained unfazed. He pitched carefully, using fastballs exceeding 150 km/h and his slider, and as the closer of those innings, he allowed no runs.

The game saw movement in the scoreless fifth inning for both teams. With two outs and a runner on second, Nomura hit a doble to left-center, giving up the opening run. The right-hander, who had been pitching well, saw the deadlock broken. Takahashi, who continued to pitch after that, gave a strong performance, allowing 5 hit and 1 runs over 7 innings.

The lineup struggled against Nippon-Ham starter Tatsu. They were held scoreless on just 3 hits through the first six innings. In the seventh, they created a chance with two outs and runners on first and second against the reliever Fukushima, but failed to score. They were unable to get that one timely hit when it mattered most.