◆ "LUXAS Samurai Japan Series 2026" Chunichi vs. Japan (28th, Vantelin Dome)

Samurai Japan's 2nd runner, Chihiro Sumida pitcher (26) = Seibu Lions = was hit on the first pitch. Chunichi allowed the winner.

He took over from starter Hiromi Ito (Nippon-Ham) and pitched as the second reliever in the fourth inning with the score tied. His first pitch, an inside pitch, was hit into the left-field stands by Hosokawa, and he instinctively bit his lip on mound.

Sumida is a starter for the team, but he is likely to pitch as the "second starter" in the World Baseball Classic (WBC). He was also second in the lineup in this game, which left him runs with a lot of concerns.

Last season, in his fourth year as a pro, he pitched in 23 games, recording his first double-digit win since turning pro, with a record of 10 wins and 10 losses and ERA of 2.59. After Hanshin Tigers Tigers pitcher Daichi Ishii was diagnosed with a left Achilles tendon injury on the 12th and was forced to withdraw from the game, he was called up as a replacement player on the 13th.