SMBC Japan Series 2026 Game 1 DeNA vs Softbank Hawks (25th, Yokohama)

Softbank Hawks pitcher Yuki Matsumoto gave up a painful home run. He took the mound in the 8th inning with a two-run lead. With one out and runners on first and second, DeNA's Tsutsugo hit a go-ahead three-run homer into the front row near the left-field pole. He instinctively crouched down between the mound and home plate, and even after standing up, he remained motionless, staring at the center-field scoreboard. He walked the next batter, Matsuo, on a fastball Walk and was removed from the game. In the dugout, he had a vacant expression, unable to hide his shock.

The game was turned upside down all at once. He gave up a right-field hit to the leadoff batter, Watarai, and then gave a Hit by Pitch to the next batter, Maki. Although he got Sano to fly out to right field, he was hit hard by the fourth batter. In the first game on the 24th, he gave up a game-tying solo home run to Maki in the 8th inning while holding a one-point lead. He failed to protect the lead for two consecutive games.