◇ Yokohama DeNA vs. Tohoku Rakuten Eagles "Nippon Life Central-Pacific Interleague 2026" Round 3 (4th, Yokohama Stadium)

Tohoku Rakuten Eagles, aiming for a third consecutive win in the same series, scored four runs in the first inning.

First, Naoki Sato took the lead, taking the lead from count 2-2, a low breaking ball thrown by opposing starter Katsuki Higashi pitcher, and hit his fifth solo home run to take the lead. With hit by Hit by Pitch and Ryuya Taira, runners on first and second were no outs, and a timely hit by player Hideto Asamura added one run. Fumiya Kurokawa players sacrifice fly more, and Maccuscar hit timely hits, scoring 4 runs in a fierce hitter full round.

◇ Comment from Player Sato
"The one I got hit was change-up. It really was just a coincidence. I'm glad we were able to take the lead."
　
Text by Harukazu Sonoda