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

It was a game that could have gone either way, but in the end, it felt like a victory through the sheer strength of the Softbank Hawks. Even on the grand stage of the CS, they did what they needed to do and played their style of baseball. The reasons why they do not lose even in the regular season were all condensed into this performance.

Uwasawa held firm after giving up only two runs in the first inning, showing he understood his own pitch. In the third inning, when they tied the score, the triple by the ninth batter, Shoji, became the breakthrough. He is steadily gaining punching power in addition to his defense and base running. Scoring from the bottom of the lineup creates an atmosphere in the team that says, 'Let's go all at once.' That was exactly what happened in the ninth inning.

In a situation where even a sacrifice fly would have sufficed, Kurihara hitting a grand slam was simply amazing. It was a shot that seemed to showcase all of his growth this year at once. His full-speed sprinting, his awareness of aiming for the next base, and his attitude of covering for his teammates' mistakes. Manager Kokubo was also composed, and a difference was visible compared to Nippon-Ham in terms of doing the obvious things as they should be done.

The Softbank Hawks now have 4 wins and 0 losses. They have the momentum to finish it all at once, but I want to see Nippon-Ham show some pride. They are completely backed into a corner, but they must get at least one win first. In a short series, regardless of the current flow, it is necessary to keep the possibilities alive. (Sports Hochi Critic)