◆Nippon Seimei Central-Pa. Exchange Game 2026 Hanshin Tigers 2-5 Nippon-Ham (27th, Koshien)

Nippon-Ham won two straight games against Hanshin Tigers, following manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo's 300th career win the previous day, on the 26th, and reduced their deficit to just one game. Starting pitcher Takashi Kato showed resilience, pitch 77 pitches over 5 innings, allowing 7 hit 2 runs, and earned his 5th win of the season.

In the second inning, they allowed the first run on a timely single to left field by Hanshin Tigers 's Sakamoto, but in the fifth inning, number 9, Kato Takashi, hit a timely single to center field to tie the game, and then number 1, Mizuno, hit a timely single to left field to take the lead.

Then, with two outs and runners on first and third, the "Shinjo Special" came into play. count was 1-0. As hitter Edopolo swung and missed, runner on first, Mizuno, attempted to steal second base, stopping abruptly near second base. Seeing this, runner on third, Kato Takashi, headed for home plate.

catcher Sakamoto hastily throw to third base, but it was bad throw allowing the team to score a crucial third run. runner on third base was pitcher Kato Takashi, who would never normally be runner in a league game. It was a "Shinjo Special" play that stunned the Tigers fans at Koshien. Hanshin Tigers manager Fujikawa protested to umpire, claiming that hitter Edopolo had interference catcher 's throw, but umpire explained to the crowd that it was "a play that occurred during a natural movement," and the ruling was not overturned.

In the seventh inning, Narama and Castro hit consecutive RBI singles to add two more runs. The relief pitchers then held onto the lead.