◆Nippon Life Interleague Series 2026 Chunichi 0-3 Softbank Hawks (June 2nd, Vantelin Dome)

Softbank Hawks achieved their longest winning streak of the season, tying the previous record, with five consecutive wins, and maintained their lead in the interleague series. Starting pitcher Ryosuke Otsu pitched his first complete game shutout game as a professional, earning his sixth win of the season, tying for the league lead.

From the first inning, Otsu kept the batters guessing with his fastball in the high 140s km/h range, mixed with breaking ball pitches such as cutter and fork, and started the game by retiring the side in order. In the second inning, he also kept the heart of the batting order at bay, and by the end of the sixth inning, he had not allowed a single runner, maintaining a perfect pitch. In the seventh inning, after one out, Tanaka hit a single to left field. Even so, he continued to steadily accumulate outs, allowing only that one hit. It was a great pitching performance, and he also recorded strike out.

Manager Kokubo praised Otsu's pitch, saying, "I could watch him with peace of mind. It's a big boost at the start of a six-game series." Regarding missing out on the record, he reflected, "It's not that easy," but also expressed his confidence in Otsu, saying he "didn't even consider" substituting him.