The game between Softbank Hawks and Nippon-Ham on the 20th (at Escon F) ended in a 5-5 tie. In the top of the 8th inning, trailing by 4 runs, Ryoya Kurihara hit grand slam to tie the game. The intense battle continued for 4 hours and 34 minutes, but it ended in a tie. On the 20th, CS Fuji TV ONE's "Pro baseball News 2026" highlighted Ryoya Kurihara who hit the game-tying bases loaded slam in the 8th inning. Commentator Kenichi Tanizawa recalled, "With a 2-ball count, what was he aiming for? Of course, it was fastball. He pulled the inside fastball to right field. It was a textbook swing." He continued, "Also, he's hit a lot of home run this year, so he's very calm even in situations like this. He seemed to see through the opposing pitcher 's lapse in concentration or confusion and hit this home run. But who would have thought it would come to this after being down 5-1..."

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