2026 PERSOL Climax Series Pacific League First Stage Game 3: Seibu Lions vs. Nippon-Ham (12th, Belluna Dome)

Starting pitcher Natsuki Takeuchi left the mound after 5 innings, throwing 82 pitches with 5 strike outs, 6 hits, and 3 runs. In the third game with a spot in the CS First Stage on the line, he was unable to secure a victory.

He had a smooth start, retiring the side in order on just 10 pitches in the first inning. However, he ran into trouble in the second. After giving up consecutive hits to Gunji and Reyes to put runners on first and second with no outs, he allowed an RBI single to left field to Nomura with one out, giving up the opening run. Later, with two outs and runners on first and second during Yamagata's at-bat, he was called for a balk, moving the runners to second and third, but he managed to get Yamagata to ground out to second. Nevertheless, he threw 40 pitches in that inning alone.

In the third inning, after getting two outs in just five pitches, he allowed a hit to center field by Kiyomiya with two outs, but the short stop Genda made a great catch on Gunji's subsequent ball that looked like it would break through to the center fielder. Even Takeuchi, who is usually cool-headed, pumped his left fist and let out a roar.

In the fourth inning, with one out, he gave up a solo Home Run to Mannami that landed in the middle of the left-field stands. In the fifth inning, with runners on first and third and no outs, an additional run was taken via a right sacrifice fly by Narama.

From the sixth inning, pitcher Taishi Mameda took the mound as the second pitcher.