2026 Persol Climax Series Pacific League Final Stage Game 1: Softbank Hawks vs. Nippon-Ham (14th, Mizuho PayPay)

Nippon-Ham allowed the opening run.

The starting pitcher on the mound was Sachiya Yamasaki. After getting into a jam with two outs and runners on first and second, he gave up an RBI single to center field to Makihara. He conceded a painful opening run.

They were trailing the first-place Softbank Hawks by more than 10 games during the season, and in this final stage, which is a best-of-seven series, the Softbank Hawks have a two-win advantage. Yamazaki was entrusted with the first game, which would significantly influence the momentum. Although he was a reliever at the start of the season, the left-hander had posted a 2.32 ERA with 5 wins and 1 loss since returning to the starting rotation in June. Despite his strong performance leading up to this, he had a frustrating start in the first inning.