◇ Seibu Lions vs. Hokkaido Nippon-Ham "2026 PERSOL Climax Series Pacific League" first baseman stage Game 1 (10th, Belluna Dome)

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham's Taiki Narama hit a go-ahead two-run Home Run, his first of the series.

Despite putting runner on base in every inning through the third, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham lineup struggled to score against the opponent's starter, Kaima Taira, the pitcher who won this season's ERA title. However, in the top of the fourth trailing by one run, leadoff hitter Kota Yazawa created an opportunity with a Walk and a stolen base. With two outs and a runner on second, Taiki Narama hit an outside high fastball on a count 1-1. The ball flew straight into the left-field stands, flipping the game with a single swing.

Taiki Narama batted .249 this season, but posted a .294 average against the Seibu Lions. Furthermore, of the five Home Run he hit throughout the season, two were at Belluna Dome, showing that among the five Pacific League teams, he performs best against the Seibu Lions.

Text by Rihoko Niwa