◆ Pacific League Softbank Hawks 2-6 Nippon-Ham (June 6, Mizuho PayPay Dome)

Softbank Hawks Their winning streak came to an end at five, and their magic number for the championship remained at 37. Taisei Makihara infielder, who started at “No. 7, second base,” had a standout performance with 3 hit 2 RBI. After the game, he had some words for Isami Nomura infielder, who played shortstop.

Nomura started at third base in starting line-up game on the 5th and hit a game-winning two-run homer in the 8th inning to tie the game at 5-5, leading his team to win. However, in the 6th inning with two outs and runners on first and second defense, he made bad throw while playing third base. The game was tied, and the manager criticized the play. The next day, he was seen working hard on defense practice from early in the morning with hitting coach Muramatsu fielder and infield defense, base base running, and strategy coach Honda Yuichi.

As usual, Dai Makihara, who appeared on ground early, watched the scene unfold. He even took to first base to receive throw. Because of their relationship, there were heartfelt words and "judgments" exchanged between them.

"If I had to say one thing right now, it was that I felt like I was still affected by yesterday's mistakes in today's game. I thought about saying something during the game, but I realized today that I need to overcome that on my own."

They deliberately didn't say anything. Nomura went 0-hit 4 with struck out At Bat day, but they weren't just talking about the results. It was about Nomura becoming an even more influential player for the team. They had seen him practicing early in the morning, and he played in the middle infield for all nine inning that day. It was Yanagida and Makihara Dai who gave Nomura a boisterous welcome when he returned to the dugout after his game-winning home run on the 5th. Because they had seen him up close, they were able to offer words of encouragement and motivation: "He practiced hard again today, and we've seen that kind of thing. No matter how star a player is, there will always be times when they make mistakes and lose. I think the players who can overcome those are the ones who will be able to keep playing in games. Yu played so much last year, so I hope he sees this as a hurdle and overcomes it."

He himself rose from being the fifth pick in the developmental draft in 2010 to earn a spot on the main roster, and is now in his 16th year as a professional. Even as he turns 34 in October, he continues to play as an undeniable regular this season. The words he repeatedly used during the interview, "I want him to overcome it himself," seemed to be filled with the journey he has taken and his affection for Nomura.