Hiroshima edges Yokohama 4-3
On Sept. 28 at Mazda Stadium, Hiroshima beat Yokohama DeNA 4-3. Starter Endoh picked up the win to raise his record to 5-2, and closer Moriura recorded his 25th save of the season. Catcher Ishihara had multiple hits and helped both ways; K. Azuma allowed the defeat after 6 1/3 innings. Game time was 3:39; attendance 31,642.
Source: NPB.jp
Nippon-Ham routs Lotte 8-3; Fukushima shines
On Sept. 28 at ZOZO Marine Stadium, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters beat the Chiba Lotte Marines 8-3. Emergency starter Ren Fukushima held Lotte scoreless through five innings and earned a career-high sixth win. Nippon-Ham’s offense put up runs late, and Lotte’s Jackson was charged with the loss after 6 2/3 innings.
Source: スポーツナビ（Yahoo!スポーツ）
Rakuten blanks Seibu 4-2; Kishi earns win
On Sept. 28 at Belluna Dome, the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles defeated the Saitama Seibu Lions 4-2. Starter Kishi held the game and recorded the win, while Yasuda’s opposite-field home run provided key offense. Seibu was hampered by an in-game incident and couldn’t recover. Attendance 27,603; game time 3:45.
Source: NPB.jp
Seibu’s Sumida leaves after being struck by batted ball
During the Sept. 28 game at Belluna Dome, Seibu’s pitcher Sumida was struck by a batted ball and was forced to leave after only 12 pitches. The club said it would monitor his condition and hopes for as quick a recovery as possible. The emergency removal forced Seibu to adjust its bullpen usage and affected the game flow.
Source: 日刊スポーツ
Hanshin’s Yuta Iwasada announces retirement
On Sept. 28 the Hanshin Tigers announced that right-hander Yuta Iwasada, 35, will retire at the end of the season. A first-round draft pick who spent 13 seasons with the club, Iwasada said declining fastball effectiveness factored into his decision. The team expressed gratitude for his contributions and will provide further details later.
Source: 日刊スポーツ
Farm Japan Championship first-stage matchups set
NPB announced on Sept. 28 the matchups for the Farm Japan Championship 2026 first stage. The opening day, Oct. 3 at Shizuoka’s Shizutetsu Stadium Kusanagi, will feature Hokkaido Nippon-Ham (home) vs. Fukuoka SoftBank in Game 1 and Yokohama DeNA (home) vs. Yomiuri Giants in Game 2. Start times are as published.
Source: NPB.jp