2026 Persol Climax Series Pacific League Final Stage Game 3: Softbank Hawks 6-2 Nippon-Ham (16th, Mizuho PayPay)

Nippon-Ham suffered three consecutive losses to the Softbank Hawks and failed to advance to the Japan Series. It was a humiliating defeat as they lost to the Softbank Hawks in the Climax Series Final Stage for the third consecutive year at the opponent's home ground in Fukuoka.

After the game, Manager Shinjo commented, "It was a complete defeat. Next year, we have to fight in every aspect, including properly managing the pitcher rotation, or the same thing will happen again. However, the players did a great job. Being able to play baseball until this time of year will definitely lead to their growth."

The lineup succeeded in taking the lead for the second consecutive game in the first inning with two outs and runners on first and second, when Kotaro Kiyomiya hit a timely RBI single to right field. Although the game was tied in the third inning after allowing a timely RBI single to left by Shoji, they managed to pull ahead in the fifth inning through Mizuno's infield hit to second base. However, in the bottom of that inning, starter Takayuki Kato gave up a go-ahead two-run home run to Masaki. Kato left the mound in the middle of the fifth inning, having allowed six hits and three runs. He commented, 'It is frustrating that I allowed the lead to be overturned due to my own pitching mistake just when we had good momentum after pulling ahead.' In the sixth inning, Yi-Lei Sun and Tamai were also caught, giving up two more points.

Before the match, the commander said, "I don't feel like we're being overwhelmingly defeated at all. We are losing, so in terms of the result, it's a loss, but I have the impression that we are the ones pushing them." However, they were unable to strike back.