2026 Persol Climax Series Pacific League Final Stage Game 3: Softbank Hawks vs Nippon-Ham (16th, Mizuho PayPay)

Softbank Hawks infielder Ryoya Kurihara writhed in pain after receiving a Hit by Pitch near his right elbow. Leading off the second inning while trailing by one run, a two seam fastball from Nippon-Ham's Takayuki Kato struck him directly near the right elbow. It did not lead to a serious injury, and he continued to play. He ran to first base and received applause from the stands.

The number four hitter who won two Pacific League batting titles with 40 Home Run and 118 RBI. On the night of the 15th, with the score tied 2-2 in the 9th inning and one out, he hit a dramatic walk-off grand slam. He snatched the win with a dramatic shot that made him only the second player to do so in the CS since Nippon-Ham's Sledge in 2009.

The team had won two consecutive games by come-from-behind victories until the previous night, bringing their record to 4 wins and 0 losses (in a maximum seven-game series, first to 5 wins), including a two-win advantage; a win or a draw in this game will secure their third consecutive Japan Series title.