[REVISION HISTORY]

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks baseball and championship updates

Updated 10 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-18 03:39 UTC → 2026-09-18 03:45 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks have continued their successful season, moving closer to the league title through several key victories. On September 11, the Hawks defeated the Chiba Lotte Marines 5-4 at Mizuho PayPay Dome, marking the fastest 80 wins in both leagues this season and reducing their championship magic number to 7. During this game, new foreign pitcher Lattridge earned his first professional win in Japan. However, outfielder Shuko Shuto left the game in the ninth inning due to a left hamstring injury sustained while attempting a diving catch, though he noted it did not feel like a severe muscle tear. On September 17, the Hawks officially clinched their third consecutive Pacific League championship following a 7-1 victory over the Orix Buffaloes at Kyocera Dome Osaka. This win represents the club’s 24th league title and marks their first three-year consecutive streak since the Nankai era in the 1960s. The championship has triggered widespread celebrations across Kyushu, including public viewings in Miyazaki and celebratory sales at retailers such as Iwataya and Mitsukoshi in Fukuoka. Corporate sponsors, including Open House Group, have also launched commemorative campaigns. Following the championship, manager Takeshi Kokuubo highlighted the development of Ryoya Kurihara, noting that the coaching staff’s decision to maintain Kurihara’s lineup position helped him evolve into a leading hitter. Other key contributors ~~noted~~ include Tomoya Masaki, who served as a lead-off hitter with 27 home runs, and pitcher Taiga Kamitsutani, who ~~finished~~ transitioned from the bullpen to the starting rotation to finish the season with an 8-2 record and a 3.25 ERA. ~~Fans celebrated the victory at public viewing sites in Miyazaki, the team’s training base.~~ The Hawks will now prepare for the Climax Series starting October 14, aiming for a second consecutive Japan Series championship.

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