SMBC Japan Series 2026 Game 2 DeNA 3-4 Softbank Hawks = 10th extra inning = (25th, Yokohama)

In Game 2 of the SMBC Japan Series 2026, the Softbank Hawks (1st in the Pacific League) defeated DeNA (3rd in the Central League) 4-3 after an extra inning for the second consecutive game, securing back-to-back wins at the away Yokohama Stadium. In the 10th extra inning, outfielder Yuto Kawamura (27) hit a priceless game-winning solo shot. The underdog, with only one career Home Run, led the team to its 68th total series victory—tying the Seibu Lions for the most in the Pacific League—with a Home Run in his first series plate appearance, becoming the 17th player in history to do so. For DeNA, the number four batter and infielder Yoshitomo Tsutsugo (34) hit a comeback three-run Home Run in the 8th inning while trailing 0-2, but they suffered a bitter consecutive loss. Game 3 will be held on the 27th at Mizuho PayPay.

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The packed stands followed the white ball soaring high into the air, and even the Hawks' dugout erupted in a stir. The ball carried powerfully toward the center-field screen. A wide-eyed Kawamura rounded the bases at a brisk pace. 'I never thought I could hit one in a situation like this,' he said. Having entered the game as a pinch runner in the 8th inning, he stepped up with one out in the 10th extra inning. The underdog, who had only one career Home Run, became the 17th player in history to hit a home run in his first-ever Japan Series at-bat. It was a blow that stole the spotlight, making him only the second player to hit a game-winning home run in such a debut since Destrade (Seibu Lions) in 1990.

His main roles are pinch-running and defense. In his first first-team plate appearance since August 1st—a gap so long he said, "It had been so long I didn't know what was going on"—he was aiming for a fastball, but his "body reacted on its own" to catch a change-up. "I was thinking that everyone probably didn't expect me to hit it," he said while exchanging high-fives. His expression softened even more during the rough celebratory welcome.

Originally using his punching power as a weapon, he was registered to the major league roster in 2024, Manager Kokubo's first year. He hit his first professional Home Run on September 22 of that same year. However, he had only one hit last season. This season, he finished with a .095 batting average with 4 hits in 42 At Bats. 'When I can't hit, I switch my focus to defense and base running,' he said. While fulfilling his duties, he spent every day working hard at early morning and late-night extra batting practice. 'I guess I was finally rewarded. I'm glad I kept at it for the whole year,' he reflected deeply.

Manager Kokubo expressed his great joy, revealing that he would have sent in a pinch hitter if there had been a runner, saying, 'It was unexpected, wasn't it? In the five years I've known him, I've never seen a smile like that.' In the 8th inning, Matsumoto Yu gave up a go-ahead three-run home run to Tsutsugo. Demonstrating their depth after the set-upper conceded home runs in two consecutive games, they won the back-to-back extra inning games, a feat achieved for only the second time in 15 years since 2011 (Chunichi vs. Softbank Hawks). However, two years ago, they suffered four straight losses after winning two in a row in Yokohama, so the manager noted, 'We are still two short. We just need to win two more.' The real battle begins now. (Osamu Ando)

[Recording Memo]

First at-bat game-winning Home Run: Kawamura, who had no Home Runs during this year's regular season, hit a go-ahead game-winning Home Run in his first series at-bat in the 10th extra inning. He is the 17th hitter to hit a Home Run in the series after having zero during that year's regular season, the first since Hiroyuki Shirasaki (DeNA) in Game 6 of 2017. He is also the 17th person to hit a Home Run in their first series at-bat, the first since Uchiyama (Yakult) in Game 2 of 2022. Kawamura is the first to hit a first at-bat Home Run during an extra inning. He is the second person to have it be a game-winning hit, following Orestes Destrade (Seibu), who recorded a go-ahead three-run Home Run in the first inning of Game 1 in 1990.

The second time both Game 1 and Game 2 went into extra innings. Following Game 1, the Softbank Hawks won in an extra inning. This marks the second time in 15 years that the first two games of the Japan Series both went into extra innings, the first being the 2011 series between the Softbank Hawks and Chunichi (at Yahoo Dome, where Chunichi won both games 2-1 in 10 innings). With this, they have won six consecutive extra inning games since Game 4 in 2014, including one draw. This surpasses the five-game winning streak of The Giants from Game 1 in 1970 to Game 3 in 1977, setting a new record for the most consecutive extra inning wins in the series.

▼ 73% Probability of Victory After Starting with Consecutive Wins: In past series, 29 out of 40 teams that started with two consecutive wins (including draws) went on to win the championship, a probability of 73%. Including its predecessor teams, this is the 9th time the Softbank Hawks have started with two consecutive wins. It is the 4th time they have done so at the opponent's stadium. Among the three previous instances, they were defeated after losing four consecutive games from the 3rd game onward against The Giants in 2000 and DeNA in 2024, but how will it go this year?

Most wins in the Pacific League tied at 68. The Softbank Hawks have a total of 68 wins, 56 losses, and 2 draws in the Japan Series. The top teams for series wins are listed below. In terms of total wins, they are second only to The Giants and tied with the Seibu Lions. In the Pacific League, they are now tied with the Seibu Lions for the most wins.

The Giants: 109 wins, 95 losses, 2 draws; 36 appearances, 22 series championships

Seibu Lions 68 wins 60 losses 2 draws 21 appearances and 13 series championships

Softbank Hawks 68 wins 56 losses 2 draws 23 appearances 12 series championships

Orix Buffaloes 40 wins 47 losses 3 draws 15 appearances 5 series championships

Yakult 30 wins 23 losses 1 draw 9 appearances 6 series championships