The Nippon Seimei Central-Pa. Exchange Game 2026 Hanshin Tigers 0-4 Nippon-Ham (26th, Koshien)

Nippon-Ham defeated Hanshin Tigers, ending their three-game losing streak. Manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo achieved his 300th career win (302 losses, 15 ties) in his 617th game as manager in his fifth year in charge. He is only the seventh manager in the team's history to reach this milestone, following CBO Kuriyama's record of 684 wins. He has also set a new record for the most win by an active manager.

In the bottom of the sixth inning with one out and the score tied 0-0, Reyes hit his ninth home run of the season, his second in as many games, off Nishi Yuji, sending the ball over the center field wall to give his team the lead. "Ito Hiroshi has been pitching really well, so I really wanted to score the first run. I'm glad I was able to get it," he said, supporting his ace. In the seventh inning with one out and the bases bases loaded, pinch hitter Castro hit a timely single to left field off Kirishiki to add two more runs. Then, with one out and the bases bases loaded, a wild pitch by Kirishiki allowed the team to score their fourth run.

Starting pitcher Ito held mound until the end, delivering a masterful performance with 7 hit and 13 strike out for his first complete game shutout game of the season. He earned his sixth win of the season, putting him at the top of the league in wins.