2026 Persol Climax Series Pacific League Final Stage Game 2: Softbank Hawks vs. Nippon-Ham (15th, Mizuho PayPay)

Nippon-Ham took the lead in the first inning.

The batting lineup connected right from the first inning. After creating a scoring opportunity with runners on first and second and no outs via a Walk and a hit against Softbank Hawks starter Uwasawa, Kotaro Kiyomiya hit an RBI single to left to take the lead. Wearing number 21, he responded to being put in the game after being left out of the starting line-up in the first game on the 14th. Furthermore, with the bases loaded and no outs, an additional run was scored during Chusei Mannami's third-base grounder double play.

They finished the season more than 10 games behind the first-place Softbank Hawks, and this final stage is a best-of-seven series that started with Softbank Hawks holding a two-win advantage. After suffering a comeback loss in the first game yesterday on the 14th, Nippon-Ham currently trails with 0 wins and 3 losses. They are aiming to bounce back starting from the second game.