SoftBank Hawks players celebrate after beating the Seibu Lions 11-8 in an NPB game at Mizuho PayPay Dome in Fukuoka on Sept. 17, 2025. (Kyodo)
FUKUOKA (Kyodo) — The SoftBank Hawks scored all their runs in the opening three innings to beat the Seibu Lions 11-8 on Wednesday, cutting their magic number for the Pacific League pennant to nine with their fourth straight win.
Lions starter Natsuki Takeuchi (4-5) loaded the bases before getting two outs in the second inning at Mizuho PayPay Dome, but he walked the next two batters before a Taisei Makihara single and Akira Nakamura triple plated two runs each, with Ryoya Kurihara capping a seven-run inning with an RBI single.
The nightmare continued for 2024 rookie of the year Takeuchi as the lefty gave up four straight hits to open the third before getting relieved with his team down 9-1.
The Hawks added two more runs in the inning, leaving Takeuchi yielding all 11 runs on 10 hits and three walks.
Hawks starter Livan Moinelo (11-3) held the Lions to a run on two hits over five innings to earn the win as the Lions, despite hitting four home runs, fell to their fourth straight loss.
Among other actions, the second-place Nippon Ham Fighters were walked off 3-2 against the Rakuten Eagles in 11 innings to help the Hawks’ magic number drop.