Sports · Baseball · 4 hrs ago
Yamakawa reaches on rare infield hit in Japan Series Game 3
SoftBank’s Hotaka Yamakawa started Game 3 of the 2026 Japan Series against DeNA on Tuesday in Fukuoka.
The Hawks had won the first two games, and a third straight win would put them one victory from a second consecutive championship.
In the second inning, Yamakawa hit a ground ball to shortstop and beat the throw for an infield single, giving SoftBank its first hit of the game.
It was his sixth infield hit in three years with SoftBank, making the play unusual for him.
After Taisei Makihara singled, Yamakawa sprinted from first to third to put runners at the corners.
Catcher Takashi Umino struck out, so SoftBank did not score in the inning.
Hotaka Yamakawa reached on a rare infield hit for SoftBank in Game 3 of the 2026 Japan Series.
He sprinted to first on a ground ball, and shortstop Shuto Naruse’s throw was slightly off target.
It was Yamakawa’s sixth infield hit since joining SoftBank, according to the report.
After Taisei Makihara singled, Yamakawa raced from first to third.
SoftBank did not score in the inning, but the play drew a reaction from fans.
- Who
- Hotaka Yamakawa of SoftBank reached base on an infield hit.
- What
- He beat out a ground ball to shortstop. He later advanced from first to third on a single.
- When
- October 27, 2026, in the second inning of Game 3.
- Where
- Mizuho PayPay Dome, Japan.
- Why
- Yamakawa sprinted to first, and the shortstop’s throw was slightly off target.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
SoftBank and DeNA played Game 3 of the Japan Series at Mizuho PayPay Dome.
Yamakawa hit a ground ball to shortstop and reached first when Naruse’s throw was slightly off target.
Makihara singled, and Yamakawa ran from first to third.
Ryusuke Umino struck out, ending the chance without a SoftBank run.
- Game
- Japan Series 2026, Game 3
- Date
- October 27, 2026
- Venue
- Mizuho PayPay Dome
- Infield hits since joining SoftBank
- 6, according to Yahoo!ニュース
- Yamakawa’s lineup position
- Sixth, at first base
- Result of the inning
- SoftBank did not score
3 sources
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