On the 2nd, Seibu Lions lose Orix Buffaloes 3-7 in a game at Belluna Dome. The starting pitcher for the day Shinya Sugai, a fifth-year player who had secured a spot in the opening day rotation. Sugai had a strong performance, closer Orix Buffaloes lineup hit through four innings, but in the Walk inning, he walked the leadoff hitter and, after getting runners on second and third with two outs, gave up a go-ahead doble. He took mound again in the sixth inning but gave up another run on consecutive hits and was removed from the game with two runner on base. He suffered his first loss of the season, giving up 5 hit 5 runs in the middle of the sixth inning.

On the CS Fuji TV ONE program "Pro baseball News 2026" aired on the 2nd, Hiroki Nomura, who appeared as the program's MC, analyzed, "He had that intention last year as well, but I think it's the third time around that he's really showing it..." Commentator Masashi Saito added, "In that sense, he'll naturally need pitching stamina, and it's also important to have a wide variety of attacking patterns. He'll have to study those things going forward."

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