◆Nippon Life Interleague Series 2026 Seibu Lions 3-0 The Giants (June 12, Belluna Dome)

This is what an ace looks like. Seibu Lions Lions pitcher Kosei Takahashi (29) pitched seven innings, striking out 10 struck out and holding The Giants lineup to just one hit and no runs, closer his seventh win of the season, tying him for the league lead. He led his team to their third six-game winning streak of the season, putting them ahead of Softbank Hawks in the interleague standings. The right-hander said, "It was good. I think my condition will continue to improve, and I think I can grow even more. I can reach an even higher level."

breaking ball even crossed. In the first inning, with two outs and a runner on first, he gave up the only hit single of the day to the cleanup hitter Darbec, but swung Oshiro struck out at 146 km/h fork. In the seventh inning, Oshiro was a 133 km/h sweeper with one out and runner on first, allowing a struck out and clenching his fist powerfully. ERA has maintained good form, improving to 1.08, second in the league behind his teammate Taira.

The right-handed pitcher hails from Gunma Prefecture. In his childhood, he naturally supported The Giants because "only The Giants games were broadcast on terrestrial television. There wasn't any particular reason, but being able to watch them up close was a big factor." He also went to their home stadium, Tokyo Dome, saying, "I don't remember how many times, but it wasn't too far, so it wasn't impossible to go."

After turning pro in 2014 as the first overall pick in the draft from Maebashi Ikuei High School, he pitched against The Giants three times but was unable to secure a win. On his fourth attempt, he finally achieved his first victory against his former idol team, and his face lit up with joy as he said, "I've been a member of their fan club since I was little, so I'm genuinely happy to have beaten them." With three games remaining, the team will fight together to seize the championship, a title they are the only Pacific League team to have yet to achieve since the start of interleague play in 2005. (Ayami Onaka)