SMBC Japan Series 2026 Game 3: Softbank Hawks 2-1 DeNA (10th extra inning, 27th, Mizuho PayPay Dome)

The Softbank Hawks have won three consecutive games and are now one step away from becoming Japan Series champions for the second year in a row. The situation mirrored that of two years ago, when they suffered four straight losses after winning the first two games, but the reigning champions showed their true strength: with two outs and a runner on second in the ninth inning while trailing by one run, Makihara hit a game-tying RBI, and in the 10th extra inning, Masaki hit what he called his 'first-ever' walk-off home run.

The game entered an extra inning for the third consecutive game since Game 1, a first in Japan Series history. In the bottom of the 10th inning with one out and no runner, Masaki's dramatic home run secured a brilliant walk-off victory. Against the Softbank Hawks, who won their third consecutive league title with 42 games over .500, DeNA, aiming for an upset from third place, had only 2 games over .500. They showed their spirit in this matchup with a '40-game surplus difference'.

Starting pitcher Haru Matsumoto pitched well, allowing 6 innings and 1 runs. In the first inning, he gave up a doble to Maki with one out but shut down the following batters. In the third inning, he allowed a leadoff hit to right by Furuichi, but neutralized the next batter, Naruse, with a shortstop grounder double play. In the fifth inning, he gave up an RBI single to center to Furuichi with two outs and a runner on second. In the sixth inning, despite facing a situation with runners on second and third with two outs, he closer Tsutsugo by having him struck out swinging.

The lineup continued to struggle with poor execution. In the first inning, with a runner on first and no outs, Shuto grounded into a double play to shortstop. In the third inning, with runners on first and second and one out, Kensuke Kondo grounded into a double play to second base. In the fourth inning, with a runner on first and one out, Yamakawa grounded into a double play to first base, and in the sixth inning, Yanagita also grounded into a double play to shortstop, totaling four double plays. Even in the seventh inning with a runner on second and one out, pinch-hitter Yu Yamamoto lined out to the pitcher for a double play. They were trapped in a 'double play hell' with a total of five double plays.

The 2024 Japan Series features the same matchup as this time. They got off to a strong start with two consecutive wins at Yokohama Stadium, but suffered four straight losses starting from Game 3 after moving to their home stadium. This year, they again won two consecutive games away and entered Game 3 in the exact same situation. Two years ago, they gave up the opening run in the first inning, and although they caught up immediately, they lost 1-4. They missed out on becoming the champions of Japan after losing four straight games following two initial wins.

Manager Kokubo expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "We just need to win one more game. I will do my best."