Pacific League: Seibu Lions 3-1 Nippon-Ham (25th, Belluna Dome)

Seibu Lions infielder Keisuke Nakata (27) played the full game as the number nine second baseman in the game against Nippon-Ham (Belluna Dome) on the 25th, showing a great performance with two hits and three RBIs to drive in all three runs, and shed tears during the hero interview on the podium after the game.

Starting pitcher Kaima Taira pitcher (26) pitched 105 pitches over 7 innings, including a season-high 160 km/h, with 6 hit no runs and 9 strike out for his 10th win (3 losses). ERA finished with a 1.46 innings pitched requirement, rising to the top of the league. The gap with leader Softbank Hawks remained 5.5, but with four consecutive wins, they are now four games behind third-place Nippon-Ham.

The game was decided by the bat of an unlikely hero. In his second at-bat in the fifth inning with one out and a runner on first while the game was scoreless, Nakada hit an RBI triple to right-center off Nippon-Ham starting right-hander Ito to drive in the opening run. In his third at-bat in the sixth inning with one out and the bases loaded, he hit a sacrifice fly to left. In the eighth inning with two outs and a runner on third after the lead had been narrowed to one run, he hit an insurance RBI triple down the right-field line. The 27-year-old, who had only 3 RBIs in 102 career professional games until now, recorded not just his first RBI of the season but 3 RBIs to defeat third-place Nippon-Ham.

On the podium, he shed tears and couldn't contain his emotions, saying, "This was a real opportunity that came my way, so I was just desperate. I really fought hard and it's the result of that. I put baseball career on the line to closer this chance. There were a lot of really tough times, and I've been working towards the goal of standing on the podium."

He joined the Softbank Hawks from Fukuoka University as the 14th pick in the 2021 developmental draft. Although he earned a spot on the active roster in 2024, he was released at the end of that season. In 2025, he joined the Seibu Lions as a developmental player and once again fought his way onto the active roster, a man who has truly persevered through hardships. 'There were so many painful times during my five years as a professional. It all came rushing back to me; it was tough, but I worked hard with the goal of standing on the hero's podium, so I just couldn't hold back my emotions.' With second baseman like Takizawa, Ishii, Tonosaki, and Ryuga Sato leaving the lineup one after another, his chance finally arrived. As a 27-year-old who never neglected his efforts no matter the situation, he appeared deeply moved.

Manager Nishiguchi also praised him, saying, "I think seizing the opportunity led to today. I believe he's unleashing everything he's been building up while on the bench all at once."