2026 PERSOL Climax Series Pacific League First Stage Game 2: Seibu Lions vs. Nippon-Ham (11th, Belluna Dome)

There was a chilling moment when Seibu Lions infielder Wataru Takamatsu met with an accident.

In the 7th inning while trailing by one run, he entered the game as a pinch runner for the first base runner Tonosaki. He took off aiming for a second base stolen base, but the pitcher Fukushima noticed and made a throw to second base before the pitch. It was the timing for an out, but the shortstop Mizuno made a catch error. He was safe (the record was a shortstop error and Takamatsu's caught stealing), but Mizuno's glove and left arm, while attempting a tag, struck Takamatsu directly in the face. He collapsed and was temporarily taken behind the bench. The stadium fell into a commotion, but he safely returned to the ground and play resumed.