◆Nippon Life Interleague Series 2026 Yakult 1-2 Seibu Lions (11 innings) (26th extra inning Jingu Stadium)

Seibu Lions entered the interleague series in first place in the league for the first time in eight years since 2018, and outfielder Seiya Watanabe had a game-winning hit and drove in two RBI, giving them a winning start to the season.

In the 11th inning, with extra inning tied 1-1, the Yakult closer, Kihada, was attacked, and with one out and a runner on second base, Watanabe stepped up to the plate and hit a timely doble down the right field line, driving in the winning run.

Starting pitcher Kaima Taira delivered a powerful performance that kept hit up to one out in the seventh inning. In the eighth inning, he put a runner on third with one out, but Takeoka hit a shallow left-handed fly that broke his bat, and Nagaoka swung and missed struck out, giving him a clenched fist.

In the 9th inning, with the score 1-0, Kaihino came in as the second pitcher but gave up a game-tying solo home run to Montel with two outs, bringing the game back to a tie. However, with closer Iwaki absent from the bench for rest, Hamaya, Kuroda, Ueda, and Sato Hayato then pitched in relief to hold on for the win.

Manager Nishiguchi praised the relief pitchers who kept the score at runs and helped turn the tide pitch, saying, "Ideally, we would have liked to finish in the ninth inning, but Kaihino gave up a hit with two outs. However, after that, all pitcher did a great job."