SMBC Japan Series 2026 Game 4: Softbank Hawks vs. DeNA (28th, Mizuho PayPay)

The Softbank Hawks came from behind to take the lead in the fourth inning.

In the bottom of the fourth inning with two outs and runners on first and second, trailing by two runs, Yu Yamamoto hit a game-tying triple down the right-field line. Although starter Yu Maeda had given up a two-run home run in the first inning, his batterymate brought the game back to even. Following that, Yanagita hit a go-ahead RBI single to center. With three runs scored this inning, they successfully completed the comeback.

After witnessing the intentional walk right in front of him, Yu Yamamoto headed to the batter's box and reflected with excitement, shouting on the base: 'I was determined to make the most of this opportunity. I felt my emotions heating up, and I was able to hang in there even after being cornered.'

The day before, Masaki hit a walk-off home run in the 10th extra inning. The team won a hard-fought battle that marked the first time in history that the first three games of a series went into extra innings, putting them one win away from consecutive championships.