Seibu Lions manager Nishiguchi calmly reflected, saying, "It was a situation where we just couldn't hit, much like during the regular season." It was the second game, following the momentum of a walk-off victory in the previous game, but the lineup failed to connect against Nippon-Ham's Tatsu, resulting in a shutout game loss with only 5 hits and zero runs. They are now pushed to the brink in their quest for their first Climax Series Final Stage appearance since 2019.

They were unable to build any momentum. In the fifth inning, trailing by one run with no outs and runners on first and second, Watanabe was caught looking and struck out on a 149 km/h fastball low and away. Following him, Takizawa hit a line drive toward the gap between first and second, but was denied by a fine play from the second baseman, resulting in no runs. Home plate felt very far away.

Takeuchi will be the starter for the fateful third game. This season, his strength in big games has shone through, such as in the June 16th game against the Hanshin Tigers (Koshien) where the team decided its first-ever Interleague victory; he pulled in the win with six innings, 10 strike out, and zero runs. 'I think we have no choice but to win, and of course I intend to go all out from the first inning,' said the left-hander. The manager also expressed high expectations, saying, 'If we lose, it is over. I think Takeuchi understands that too. Since it was Takeuchi during the Interleague victory as well, I believe he will pitch firmly.' In order to seize the first Japan championship since 2008, they cannot afford to end here. (Ayami Ohnaka)