2026 PERSOL Climax Series Pacific League First Stage Game 3: Seibu Lions 1-4 Nippon-Ham (12th, Belluna Dome)

Nippon-Ham secured a win against the Seibu Lions. From the brink of elimination after losing the first game, they achieved two consecutive victories to become the first team in the Pacific League to advance to the Final Stage for three consecutive years. Hiromi Ito pitcher held the opponent to one runs in five innings as the closer.

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There is a conviction he has maintained as an ace. On August 11th, in a game against the Seibu Lions at Es Con Field, he was in a pitching duel with Taira. After giving up the opening run in the 8th inning while the score was 0-0, Ito left the mound mid-inning. Out of anger toward himself, he raised his glove above his head in the dugout but stopped himself there. Showing his sense of responsibility, he said, 'If I were to do that (take it out on objects), it would carry a lot of weight. I really hate the idea of creating an atmosphere where people think it's okay to do it just because Hiromi-san does it.' During the off-season, he invites juniors like Kitayama and Hosono to his home, where he cleans the fish he caught himself and serves home-cooked meals. He handles everything from washing dishes to setting the table so his juniors don't have to worry. Hosono expressed his gratitude, saying, 'Everything was delicious.' At the center of Shinjo's Nippon-Ham is the presence of an absolute ace who is adored by his juniors. (Nippon-Ham reporter: Haruki Kawakami)