◆Nippon Life Interleague Series 2026: Lotte 3X-2 DeNA (June 12, ZOZO Marine Stadium)

Lotte's starting pitcher Koshiro Hiroike, delivered a masterful performance, pitching a career-high eight innings and allowing only two runs, setting the stage for their second consecutive walk-off victory and bringing them back to a .500 winning percentage for the first time since April 4th. In the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs and runners on second and third base, Daito Yamamoto hit a single to right field to seal the win. Having lost all five previous games in this crucial situation to erase their deficit, they finally achieved their long-awaited win on their sixth attempt. In the post-game hero interview, he exploded with joy, exclaiming, "Yessssss!! I don't even know what's going on!"

Starting pitcher Hiroike was the opponent who made his professional debut on June 21 last year. At the time, he was hit by three consecutive hits and suffered a humiliating second-round KO, but on this day, he dispelled his "nightmare." In the third inning with a one-run lead, he faced a crisis with runners on first and second with two outs, then gave up consecutive RBI hits to Sano and Tsutsugo to take the lead, but from the fifth inning onward, he played without any trouble and pitch through the seventh. He had thrown 91 pitches until then, but when he reached the mound of the eighth inning, the leadoff pitcher Ebina swung struck out slider. Maki followed by Ichijahi. Sano had pop fly fielder arranged for a doble in front of catcher, and with Walk, he put runners on first and second in a pinch with two outs, but ultimately retired Miyazaki with a swinging struck out.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, with one out and trailing by one run, captain Soto swung at a 152 km/h fastball down the middle from starting pitcher Irie, sending the ball soaring high into the air and reaching the left-center field terrace. His sixth home run of the season made him the 50th player in NPB history to hit a home run against all 12 teams, tying the game.