◆ Koshino: "He's showing us in the exhibition games what he's going to do."

Nippon-Ham walk-off win The team scored a run in the second inning, and with one out and three on, Tatsuki Mizuno made a safety squeeze to tie the game. The next Taiki Narama also bunted hit to open the inning with no outs bases loaded, and Yushin Shimizu got off squeeze but hit a timely shot to turn the tables. Ryota Isobata The third run scored on a safety squeeze as well.

Regarding the consecutive bunt attacks that were a highlight of Shinjo's strategy, commentator Kenji Koshino of Fuji TV ONE's "Professional baseball News 2026" broadcast on the 9th praised him, saying, "By combining bunts with footwork, he saves the points when he can. Manager Shinjo's unconventional strategies are not only for Central League, but for every team in Pacific League, and he shows them what he's going to do in exhibition games." He also added, "The reason the players who received the signs carried them out so well is because they thought, 'This might happen.' I think the manager's signs were given while predicting, 'Maybe it'll happen again, maybe it'll happen to me,' and that's why they were able to make so many hits. If you're not prepared, it's surprisingly difficult. He can read the manager's mind well."

Another commentator, Tomotaka Sakaguchi, analyzed, "Normally, I would think they would be trying out various things, including practice, and that they are doing it because it's a time like this, but in Manager Shinjo's case, he really uses him throughout the season. The fact that something like this has happened means that other teams will do the same, and I think they will be paying close attention to the coordination of infield."

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