◆ "LUXAS Samurai Japan Series 2026" Japan 13-3 Softbank Hawks = Called due to rain after the top of the seventh inning = (22nd, Hinata Sun Marine Stadium Miyazaki)

Softbank Hawks Yugo Maeda pitcher hit runs The left-hander, the No. 1 pick in the 2010 draft, wanted to show that he would be in the starting rotation for the season opener by slaying the Samurai, but the result was harsh. The first-round pick in the 2010 draft wanted to make an appeal for a spot in the opening day rotation, but he had to settle for a tough outing. I can only be frustrated, but I hope to be able to dominate in the next game.

Manager Hiroki Kokubo said, "It's been difficult to use the inside pitches lately, so I haven't included these two games (against the Samurai) in my evaluation. I was concerned that my output was a little low, though. It's the same for other pitcher, but I can't get to the inside very easily," defending the fact that he was hit hard by pitching in a way that was considerate of the Japanese national team. The left-hander made no excuses, saying, "Of course, if I could have used the inside pitches more, my pitching might have changed, but that's just the result. I would like to become pitcher who can closer even without using the inside pitches."