◆ Pacific League: Softbank Hawks 14-1 Nippon-Ham (8th, Mizuho PayPay Dome)
The Softbank Hawks lineup exploded, reducing their magic number for the championship to 13. This marked their first victory against Nippon-Ham in five games.
Just like the matchup on the 1st, it was a pitching duel between Moinelo and Yamazaki. The lineup took an early lead in the first inning with Shuto's 3rd two-run Home Run of the season, followed by Kurihara's 35th two-run Home Run in the third to provide support. In the eighth inning, Shuto hit a bases loaded inside-the-park Home Run, and Kurihara added the finishing touch with his 36th two-run Home Run. They overwhelmed the opponent with 10 runs in a single inning.
Moinelo allowed 1 runs through the middle of the seventh inning. Tsumori, the second pitcher who took the mound with one out and runners on second and third in the seventh with the score 4-1, escaped the jam by having two consecutive batters struck out.
![[Video] Ukyo Shuto hits an inside-the-park home run with the bases loaded; the fleet-footed star's performance brings the magic number to 13](https://hochi.news/images/2026/09/08/20260908-OHT1I51609-C.jpg)
![[Scoreboard] Softbank Hawks vs. Nippon-Ham](https://hochi.news/assets/v2/img/hochi_news_sns.png)
![[Softbank Hawks] Following a two-run lead-off homer, a brilliant play explodes! Center fielder Ukyo Shuto makes a fine catch while jumping near the wall, drawing a standing ovation from the entire stadium.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/09/08/20260908-OHT1I51492-L.jpg)
![[Softbank Hawks] Hotaka Yamakawa, in the starting line-up for the first time since May 29, struck out swinging in his first at-bat.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/09/08/20260908-OHT1I51477-L.jpg)
