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

For the Seibu Lions, pitcher Kona Takahashi gave a powerful performance, throwing 127 pitches over 7 innings while allowing 5 hit and 1 runs, but the lineup could not break through Tatsu. The right-hander, who suffered a loss following the CS four years ago when facing the Softbank Hawks, apologized, saying, "The team lost, so I am sorry."

In the fifth inning with two outs and a runner on second, he gave up the decisive RBI doble to Nomura. A sweeper intended for the outside corner caught the middle of the plate and was hit hard, and he reflected on the regrettable pitch, saying, 'It was too easy.' Overall, it was a good performance, limiting the damage to one runs, but this run weighed heavily on him as he reflected, 'I guess it comes down to the fact that I gave up the lead first.' If they win or draw the third game on the 12th, their trip to Fukuoka, where the Softbank Hawks are waiting, will be decided. 'I want to recover well and deliver the kind of pitching that helps the team win.' He headed back to the locker room, hoping for another chance to redeem himself.