[Nippon-Ham] Despite their first six-game winning streak in about two years, the gap with the top teams remains unchanged. Manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo: "What is it about the Pacific League that makes them so strong?" Analyzes the reasons for the Central League's struggles | Pacific League

[Nippon-Ham] Despite their first six-game winning streak in about two years, the gap with the top teams remains unchanged. Manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo: "What is it about the Pacific League that makes them so strong?" He also analyzes the reasons for the Central League's struggles.

Sports Hochi

June 10, 2026 22:25

In the 7th inning with one out and runners on second and third base, manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo high-fives Shun Mizutani (Photo by Masahiko Ikeuchi).

◆Nippon Life Interleague Series 2026: Nippon-Ham 4-2 DeNA (10th, ES CON FIELD)

In the seventh inning, with the score tied and runners on second and third with one out, Mizutani hit a game-winning two-run single to left field for Nippon-Ham. pitcher staff also performed flawlessly, with Kato giving up only two runs in seven innings, followed by Tanaka and Yanagawa, securing their sixth consecutive win, their first since August 2012.

However, the top teams in Pacific League—Seibu Lions, Softbank Hawks, and Orix Buffaloes—all secured win. Softbank Hawks and Seibu Lions, in particular, have also been outperformed in interleague play, posing an obstacle to winning the interleague championship.

Manager Shinjo chuckled at the situation where the top teams weren't losing, saying, "Oh, really? I haven't seen them yet, but I guess that means they're strong. I wonder what it is about Pacific League that makes them so strong." He then offered his analysis, "Central League have to travel long distances, while Pacific League have easier travel Central League games. I think that might be a factor."

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