2026 Persol Climax Series Pacific League Final Stage Game 1: Softbank Hawks 6-4 Nippon-Ham (14th, Mizuho PayPay)

The Softbank Hawks won the first game with a comeback victory. The three-time consecutive league champions also started the Climax Series with a win for the third year in a row. Including the two-win advantage, they now lead three games to zero and are just two wins away from advancing to the Japan Series.

The starter Moinelo allowed 3 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks/Hit by Pitches in 2.1 innings. The left-hander, who entered with 6 wins (1 loss) and a 0.74 ERA in 7 appearances this season, was far from his best form. However, the team's strength lies in not collapsing from that point. After Suzuki Go held the opponent scoreless for 1.1 innings starting from a bases loaded situation with two outs in the 3rd, the team took the lead with a 5-run outburst in the 4th. They held on for the win using a relay of 6 pitchers, including their winning pattern of Osuna, Matsumoto Yu, and Sugiyama as the closer.

Manager Kokubo looked back on the moment of Moinelo's substitution, stating, 'A short series is a different kind of battle compared to the regular season.' He clarified that the timing for bringing in Suguru Suzuki had already been decided, saying, 'I had him positioned.' He nodded at the opening victory where the relay strategy worked perfectly, adding, 'We have won because of that (the bullpen's hard work). I used everyone. We just need to win three games.'