2026 Persol Climax Series Pacific League Final Stage Game 2: Softbank Hawks 6x-2 Nippon-Ham (15th, Mizuho PayPay)

Nippon-Ham suffered a walk-off loss to the Softbank Hawks. In the tied ninth inning, Fukushima gave up a walk-off bases loaded home run to Kurihara and ran out of steam. With this, their head-to-head record stands at 0 wins and 4 losses including the advantage, leaving them pushed to the brink.

After the game, Manager Shinjo left the stadium, leaving behind the words, "I won't give up."

The lineup took the lead in the first inning with no outs and runners on first and second, as the number three hitter Kotaro Kiyomiya hit an RBI single to left field. 'Since it was the first inning, I wanted to give the team some momentum. I was able to calm down, organize my thoughts, and step into the batter's box,' he said. With the bases loaded and still no outs, another run was added during Chusei Mannami's third-base double play.

However, the starting pitcher Kitayama gave up a timely doble that hit the left field wall to Masaki in the third inning, followed by a timely hit to right field by Kondo, which tied the game. He left the mound after throwing 105 pitches over 6 and 2/3 innings, allowing 4 hits and 2 runs. After that, Uehara and Hori followed to keep the game close, but Fukushima gave up a painful home run in the ninth inning.