2026 PERSOL Climax Series Pacific League First Stage Game 3: Seibu Lions 1-4 Nippon-Ham (12th, Belluna Dome)

Second-place Seibu Lions lost consecutive games to third-place Nippon-Ham, missing out on advancing to the Climax Series Final Stage. Despite winning the first game with a walk-off victory, they suffered a painful series of losses at their home stadium, and their season came to an end.

Starting pitcher Takeuchi lacked stability. In the second inning, he allowed an RBI single to Nomura, who had hit the game-winner in Game 2, and in the fourth inning, he gave up a massive solo home run to Mannami. He surrendered the lead after giving up three runs in five innings.

The lineup failed to capitalize on opportunities, hitting into double plays in two consecutive innings in the 3rd and 4th, and ended up with only one run from a sacrifice fly even during a golden opportunity with the bases loaded and one out in the 5th.

Although they made a great leap from fifth place last season to second place, they failed to advance to the Final Stage. Manager Nishiguchi cited the inability to score first as the reason for the loss, stating, "I wanted to take the lead somehow, but we ended up on the defensive." He bit his lip and added, "I wanted to break through and face the Softbank Hawks; it is frustrating."