◆ Pacific League Softbank vs. Nippon-Ham (27th, Mizuho PayPay)

Nippon-Ham 's infielder Kotaro Kiyomiya hit a go-ahead home run in the first inning.

He started the game as the "number 2 batter and starting line-up." In the first inning, with no outs and a runner on first after Mizutani reached base on an error by the opposing team, he scooped up a 141 km/h inside fork from Softbank Hawks starting pitcher Uwasawa.

He hit a two-run homer to right field, the first of the 2026 Pacific League. He gave his team a big lead, and commented, "runner got on base because of an opponent's mistake. I wanted to somehow capitalize on this opportunity and take control of the game."

In front of the dugout, they celebrated with a hand sign representing the team slogan, "DOMI!" They got off to a fantastic start on the same stage where they suffered a bitter defeat in the final stage of the Climax Series last year.