Softbank Hawks catch up to a tie with two outs in the ninth inning of Japan Series Game 3; Nomura says, "There's what happened two years ago, isn't there?" and "In the midst of wondering if it might happen..." | Pacific League.com

Softbank Hawks catch up to a tie with two outs in the ninth inning of Game 3 of the Japan Series; Mr. Nomura says, "There's what happened two years ago, isn't there?" and "In the midst of wondering if it might happen..."

Baseball King

October 27, 2026 21:20

Softbank Hawks manager Kokubo (C)Kyodo News

Makihara's game-tying hit and Ihine's great base running: 'I'm sure he's excited, and I think there's also a part of him that feels a bit relieved.'

SMBC Nippon Series 2026 Game 3
○ Softbank Hawks 2x － 1 DeNA ●
＜October 27, MIZUHO PayPay Dome FUKUOKA＞

In the ninth inning, with two outs and a runner on second, Taisei Makihara of the Softbank Hawks hit a single to right field, and the second-base runner, Itsua Ihine, dashed home to score. They managed to tie the game at the very last moment.

Regarding Makihara, who had the game-winning hit, commentator Takahiro Saeki on Fuji TV ONE's 'Professional baseball News 2026' on the 27th praised him, saying, 'It was a brilliant piece of hitting. The pitch itself ended up being a missed location, but Makihara had swung and missed at a cutter in a similar spot that was a ball just before that. He likely had his eyes set on that area, and he didn't miss the fastball thrown there. Even though it was a difficult pitch due to the missed location, Makihara's technique to drive that into the hit zone was impressive. He is truly remarkable.' He also gave a high evaluation to Ihine's base running in his first Japan Series appearance as a pinch runner, stating, 'That was superb base running. To come into that situation for his first appearance and have the speed and skill to return home on that single hit is quite something.'

Furthermore, MC Mitsuru Manaka said, 'It looked like the kind of base running that made Manager Kokubo get a little excited during the interview, as if he really felt they did a great job.' Another commentator, Hiroki Nomura, commented on the manager's state of mind, saying, 'Manager Kokubo probably still has that experience from two years ago on his mind—losing four straight after winning two. In a situation where it was 1-0 today and anything could happen, the pinch runner worked out perfectly and Makihara hit it back to secure the win. That would certainly make a manager excited, and I think there's also a part of him that feels a bit relieved.'

☆ Cooperation: Fuji TV ONE "Professional baseball News 2026"