On the 9th, Seibu Lions lost to Softbank Hawks 0-2 at Mizuho PayPay Stadium.

CS Fuji TV ONE's "Professional baseball News 2026" highlighted pitch of Seibu Lions 's starting pitcher Shinya Sugai who made his second appearance of the season. Sugai pitched 6 innings, throwing 105 pitches, allowing 2 hit, strike out 5, and walking 5 Hit by Pitch. Commenting on Sugai's pitch that day, Kenji Tomashino, who was appearing as a commentator, said, "It was a pitching style that didn't back down, and he wasn't being pressured. He was entrusted with the starting role in an attempt to sweep the series after Sumida and Kosei Takahashi, and the way he boldly and confidently went inside against Softbank Hawks made me feel that he has become much stronger mentally."

The show's MC, Hiroki Nomura, also expressed his expectations, saying, "I've been keeping a close eye on Sugai. Last time, he gave up Walk in the middle of the sixth inning and got into trouble, so he had to take the game, but this time he was able to pitch all the way through the sixth inning. That's three times around the plate. It will be even more exciting if Sugai can stand on his own after the left-handed Sumida and Takeuchi, so I hope he does his best."

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