[Softbank Hawks] Bitter!! Closer Sugiyama fails to protect a 2-run lead... Effect of right foot injury? Caught up from a maximum 5-run deficit, walk-off loss in the 10th extra inning. Magic number for the championship is 22 | Pacific League.com

Softbank Hawks: Heartbreaking!! Closer Sugiyama fails to protect a 2-run lead... Is it the effect of his right foot injury? Blown 5-run lead results in a walk-off loss in the 10th extra inning. Magic number for the championship is 22.

Sports Hochi

August 26, 2026 21:36

Softbank Hawks' Kazuki Sugiyama, who allowed a game-tying two-run RBI hit to pinch hitter Daito Yamamoto in the 9th inning, resulting in a tie (left is second base runner Raito Ikeda) (Camera: Jun Imanishi)

Pacific League: Lotte 6-5 Softbank Hawks (26th, ZOZO Marine)

With a two-run lead in the 9th inning and two outs with runners on second and third, Softbank Hawks closer Kazuki Sugiyama allowed a game-tying two-run hit to pinch hitter Daito Yamamoto.

They created a five-run big inning in the first for two consecutive games, but remained scoreless from the second inning onwards.

Sugiyama injured his right foot during pre-game practice on the 22nd and was left out of the roster for two consecutive days, but he had been back on standby in the bullpen since the 24th.

The game went into extra innings, and in the 10th inning, Go Suzuki gave up a walk-off hit to Yamaguchi.

However, the second-place Seibu Lions lose to Nippon-Ham. The magic number for the championship is now 22.