◆Nippon Life Central-Pacific Interleague Series 2026 Hanshin Tigers 0–1 Rakuten Eagles (16th · Koshien)

Narrowly escaping a crisis, I couldn't help but pump my fist pump. In the third inning, with neither team scoring and two outs, a runner on second. Seibu Lions Natsuki Takeuchi pitcher (24) 8th pitch off full count. Hanshin Tigers Held Morishita off at 150 km/h on the outside. Hasegawa dived catch a powerful line drive ball that would have been the first run if it had been released. As if thanking Hasegawa for saving him from a crisis, he tapped his glove and returned to the bench.

Takeuchi, who received one run support from Kuwahara's opening goal, tied his season best of 10 strike out. He combined a fastball topping out at 150 km/h with curveballs, change-up, and slider, shutting the Tigers lineup to zero through six innings. He scored two struck out from the Hanshin Tigers hitter Sato, reflecting, "I was conscious of not running away but to face the challenge firmly. I'm glad I was able to create a match in such a tense situation." With a strong pitching runs 3 hit scoreless pitching in 6 innings, he led the team to their first interleague championship, saying, "I think it's a valuable win, and I want to carry it into the league," and he will apply it to the league as well.