◆Nippon Life Interleague Series 2026 Seibu Lions 13-4 DeNA (29th, Belluna Dome)

It truly acted as the "ignition." In the third inning, with no outs and a runner on first base, immediately after the opposing team tied the game, Seibu Lions outfielder Masayuki Kuwahara (32) hit a 149 km/h fastball from opposing starter Shimada. The ball landed just inside the right field line, and while right fielder fumbled the ball, Kuwahara sprinted to third base. "I was lucky to hit the ball, but I'm glad it turned out well." With that game-winning triple, Seibu Lions batting lineup, clad in their special "black lion uniforms" for the interleague games, fully woke up, racking up 16 hit 13 runs from every player in the starting lineup. Their winning streak, including one tie, extended to five games. They reached 30 wins faster than any other team in either league since winning the league title in 2018.

Last offseason, he moved as a free agent, going from a gutsy player in Yokohama to a gutsy player in Tokorozawa. Facing his former team, he said he "focused as usual" and delivered two hit as a greeting. Even though his environment has changed drastically, his policy remains the same: "play with all your might." "I want to put my feelings front and center and express them through my play." At the spring training camp in Nango, Miyazaki in February, he shouted encouragement from the younger players and chased the white ball in muddy conditions during special fielding practice. His attitude is strongly inspiring the young Lions team.

triple After the first inning, with one out and three on, Hasegawa's playground groundout plunged him into home plate. He was sandwiched between the three runners, but hitter runner persisted until Hasegawa reached third base, leading to the next timely hit by Yu Koga. Nishiguchi praised the game as follows. It was very big. It was really good persistence," nodded Nishiguchi.

After recovering from a left calf muscle strain, he returned to the first team just in time for the interleague games, leading the team to its first-ever three consecutive wins to start the season. Their 10-game lead is also a first since August 30, 2022, a gap of 1368 days. Having experienced the 2024 Japan Series championship with DeNA, he knows the tough road ahead. Standing on the victory platform at Belluna Dome for the first time, he declared, "Once again, I'm Kuwahara. I want to lead the team with my own gutsy, spirited play." He will fight through each game and ultimately seize glory. (Ayami Onaka)