◆ "runner was determined to hang in there," but it ended in an unexpected way.

On the 5th, Lotte played against Softbank Hawks and lost a close game 3-4. In the 9th inning, with one out and walk-off on first and third, they had a golden opportunity to win the game, but Atsuki Tomosugi attempted a safety squeeze but failed. Third runner Akito Takabe, who had started running, was base running for exceeding the three-foot limit, and first runner Ryusei Ogawa was also tagged out before reaching third baseman, resulting in double play and ending the game.

In response to the unexpected ending, Takahiro Saeki, a commentator on Fuji TV ONE's "Pro baseball News 2026" broadcast on the 5th, analyzed the play, saying, "First, catcher chased after the runner on third base, and the third base coach called out to the runner on first base. This is just my personal opinion, but I think the third base coach called out to the runner on first base because he thought there would be one or two more chances for rundown play. But then, unexpectedly, the ball went over by three feet, and one play was eliminated."

MC Tsutomu Iwamoto said, "I wish runner would have been more persistent," to which Saeki pointed out, "runner was trying to be persistent, but he went three feet over the limit there."

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