◇ Hokkaido Nippon-Ham vs. Yokohama DeNA 'Nippon Life Central League/League/Leagues 2026' Second Round (10th, ES CON FIELD)

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Takayuki Kato pitcher pitched 103 pitches in 7 innings, 2 hit 1 Walk, 4 strike out 2 runs to earn his sixth win.

Due in part to the rain cancellation, Takashi Kato pitched two inning as a reliever on the 3rd pitcher In the first inning, despite needing 11 pitches from the leadoff player Tatsuo Ebina, he fought tenaciously with a pitch and retired all three batters. From the second inning onward, he kept hitting home balls at a good pace and delivered a perfect pitch through the fourth inning.

In the top of the 5th inning with a one-run lead, he gave up a timely doble with one out and runners on first and second, and with one out and runners on second and third, he allowed the infield ground out to take the lead. Still, in the bottom of the fifth, Shun Mizutani hit his second solo home run to bring the game back to square one, responding to the run and closer the next two inning hit runs.

The lineup then took the lead in the bottom of the 7th with a two-run single by Mizutani. Takashi Kato pitcher, who threw over 100 pitches for the first time this season and achieved HQS, secured his sixth win, and Seigi Tanaka pitcher and Taisei Yanagawa pitcher held onto their lead.

Text by Ao Yokoyama