On the 23rd, Nippon-Ham win 11-2 against Seibu Lions (Belluna Dome). On the 23rd, on CS Fuji TV ONE's 'Pro baseball News 2026,' Kitayama looked back on Koki Kitayama 's pitch. Kitayama pitched 86 pitches over 6 innings, threw 7 hit, 3 strike out, and 1 Hit by Pitch, and 1 runs to secure his ninth win with a tenacious pitch. Commentator Akihiko Oya commented, "If I had watched just one start inning, Sumida might have bounced back better... But it became a pitcher where he could adjust his pitching during the game by scoring the difference. He skillfully used tempo and felt he had learned how to pitch," he commented.

Commentator Shohei Tateyama also commented, "His inside pitches to left-handed batters were good. He's throwing well, so I think left-handed batters are swinging at his breaking ball that start as low strike but end up as balls. He's very composed. I think he'll get 13 or 14 wins this year," expressing his expectations for his future pitch.

☆ Cooperation: Fuji TV ONE "Professional baseball News 2026"