2026 Persol Climax Series Pacific League Final Stage Game 3: Softbank Hawks vs Nippon-Ham (16th, Mizuho PayPay)
Nippon-Ham allowed a comeback.
It was the fifth inning, immediately after taking a one-run lead. With one out and a runner on second, the starting pitcher Kato gave up a go-ahead two-run home run to Masaki into the left-field seats. The game was turned around by that painful blow. Kato was pulled from the mound at this point. He finished with 6 hits and 3 runs allowed in 4 and a third innings.
They are more than 10 games behind the league-leading Softbank Hawks in the season standings, and this final stage is a best-of-seven series that started with Softbank Hawks holding a two-win advantage. Currently on a two-game losing streak, Nippon-Ham is on the brink of elimination with a record of 0 wins and 4 losses from their perspective. They aim to secure a win in the third game to keep their hopes of a comeback alive.
![[Scoreboard] Softbank Hawks vs. Nippon-Ham](https://hochi.news/assets/v2/img/hochi_news_sns.png)
![[Nippon-Ham] Successfully took the lead by not missing mistakes! Can they achieve a major comeback breakthrough from the brink of 0 wins and 4 losses? Tatsuki Mizuno hits a persistent RBI single.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/10/16/20261016-OHT1I51521-L.jpg)
![[Nippon-Ham] Caught up in a do-or-die match; Takayuki Kato, who had been pitching well, allows a timely hit to Shoji... Game 3 starts with a record of 0 wins and 4 losses](https://hochi.news/images/2026/10/16/20261016-OHT1I51497-L.jpg)
![[Nippon-Ham] Manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo's batting order change hits the mark! Yuya Gunji in the leadoff spot opens the way, while Kotaro Kiyomiya, who hit the opening RBI, calls it his 'on the edge hitting'... Aiming for a major comeback victory after starting with 0 wins and 4 losses.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/10/16/20261016-OHT1I51466-L.jpg)
