Japan Series Game 7:Buffaloes successfully take the return series of the last year with a 5-4 victory in Game 7 over Swallows and win the Japan Series title

Ryo Ohta, to hit a lead-off homer in the top of the first

2022 Japanese postseason format

NPB No. 94 KAISPO. 1293

japan series

- Best of Seven -

GAME 7

Buffaloes successfully take the return series of the last year with a 5-4 victory in Game 7 over Swallows and win the Japan Series title

Game 7: Buffaloes 5-4 Swallows : Buffaloes ,4 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw. / 2022.10.30 Sun JST @ Jingu Stadium

Ryo Ohta, to hit a lead-off homer in the top of the first

Buffaloes' starter, Hiroya Miyagi

Masataka Yoshida, to recieve an RBI hit-by-pitch in the top of the fifth

Yutaro Sugimoto, to hit a fly ball to induce an error by which the Buffaloes scored three runs.

Yuki Udagawa, to pitch two scoreless innings for Buffaloes

Motoki Higa, to pitch well to end the eighth inning.

Buffaloes' closer, Jacob Waguespack to shut the door in the ninth

Buffaloes' manager, Satoshi Nakajima to be tossed by his players into the air in celebration

Game 7 between the Tokyo Yakult Swallows and the Orix Buffaloes in the Japan Series took place at Jingu Stadium, Tokyo, on October 30, JST. The Buffaloes edged the Swallows 5-4 to win the Japan Series title for the first time in twenty-six years since 1996 and the fifth time overall.


The scoring process is below.


■The Buffaloes scored first.
In the top of the first inning, just after "play," Buffoloes' leadoff hitter, Ryo Ohta, hit the first pitch for a home run into the batter's eye off Cy Sneed. The right-handed batter became the first player to hit a homer on the first pitch just after "play ball" in the Japan Series history. (1-0)

■The Buffaloes got additional runs.
Torai Fushimi(the No.8 hitter) led in the top of the fifth with a single to the right fielder. Hiroya Miyagi tried to lay down a sacrifice bunt that luckily resulted in an infield single to the shortstop. Ryo Ohta also followed with a sacrifice bunt that ended up with an infield single by which the Buffaloes unintentionally had a bases-loaded situation. The next batter, Yuma Mune, grounded out to the first baseman, Jose Osuna, who stepped on first base with the batted ball to get the first out and then threw it to the catcher, Yuhei Nakamura, who tagged the third runner, Torai Fushimi to have the second outs to complete a 3-2 double play. The Swallows shortly changed the situation to runners on second and third with two outs. The Buffaloes, however, filled the bases again with Keita Nakagawa's walk. Masataka Yoshida took a pitch on his right elbow to force home. (2-0)


The next batter, Yutaro Sugimoto, hit a fly ball to the left-center field. Swallows' center fielder Yasutaka Shiomi made a catching error to let the fly ball past him. The three runners scored during the mistake. (5-0)

■The Swallows staged a rally.
At the bottom of the eight to lead off, Yasutaka Shiomi reached first with a single to the right fielder. Buffaloes's right-handed pitcher Soichiro Yamazaki came to the plate from the inning. Kazuya Maruyama followed with a single to the center fielder. After the next hitter, Tetsuto Yamada struck out, Munetaka Murakami (the No.4 batter) hit an RBI double to the right fielder and drove in Shiomi. (1-5) 

In the case of runners on first and third with one out after Murakami, Jose Osuna subsequently crushed a three-run shot into the left stands off righty Soichiro Yamazaki to cut the deficit. (4-5)

■The Buffaloes won.
Buffaloes' closer, Jacob Waguespack, retired three batters in a row to shut the door in the bottom of the ninth. (5-4 final)


The Buffaloes' bullpen pitched well as a whole. The left-handed pitcher Hiroya Miyagi made his first start after a four-day rest and had his first appearance at Jingu Stadium. On 73 pitches, the 21-year-old lefty fired five strikeouts and gave up three hits and no runs over five innings. The second pitcher of the game, Yuki Udagwa, fanned three batters including getting a Triple Crawn hitter Munetaka Murakami to strike out and called on a 94.4-mph fastball in two scoreless innings. Righty Soichiro Yamazaki, who followed Udagawa, allowed four runs and four hits, including the three-run homer from Jose Osuna. However, the righty contributed to his team as a reliever throughout the series. Sidearmer Motoki Higa, who replaced Yamazaki during the bottom of the seventh, played a crucial role in not allowing a coming from behind to retire the last two batters. In the final inning, the most reliable closer Jacob Waguespack completed the 1-2-3 ninth inning using his nasty split ball. 


■Ohta's leadoff home run
Ryo Ohta's leadoff homer helped his team seize the game's initiative from the early stage. In the top of the fifth, superstar Masataka Yoshida, who smashed two impressive shots in Game 5, led to the bases-loaded hit-by-pitch because Swallows' battery had to throw a fastball on the inside black to reiter. One more slugger, Yutaro Sugimoto, who went to his at-bat after Yoshida, played an active role by hitting the fly ball to the left-center field, adding three runs with the center fielder Yasutaka Shiomi's error.


■Cy Sneed kept his team in the game.
Swallows' starter Cy Sneed hit the leadoff homer from Ohta with his first pitch but didn't blow up the game. The righty was caused trouble for ragged fielding of the in and out fields in the top of the fifth, although he gave up five runs (two earned runs) and six hits over 4 2/3 frames. Four relievers after Cy Sneed didn't allow additional runs.
The Swallows' offense scored four times with a four-hitting barrage, including Jose Osuna's three-run shot to make a one-run margin, 4-5, in the bottom of the eighth. However, it was tight for them to tie the game against Buffaloes' strong bullpen.


■The Buffaloes' victory since Ichiro's era
The Buffaloes bounced back from 2 losses and a draw in the first three matches. They won four consecutive games to become the Japan Series Champion for the first time in 26 years and the fifth since 1996 with manager Akira Ohgi and Ichiro Suzuki. Last year, they lost the series against the Swallows, 2-4. They successfully took the return series this year with the most remarkable pitchings represented by a four-award pitcher, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Hiroya Miyagi as a starter and Shota Abe, Soichiro Yamazaki, Yuki Udagawa, and Jacob Waguespack as set upper. And, too, their offense in the combination of the varied talented hitters worked very well in addition to sluggers such as Masataka Yoshida and Yutaro Sugimoto this season. 
​(NPB No.198 KAISPO No.1386)​

2022 Japan Series AWARD

Most Valuable Player
Yutaro Sugimoto (Buffaloes)

Valuable Player
Sachiya Yamasaki (Buffaloes)
Masataka Yoshida (Buffaloes)
Yasutaka Shiomi (Swallows)

Fighting-Spirit Award
Jose Osuna (Swallows)

GAME 6

Buffaloes' proud pitchers combine on a one-hit shutout over the Swallows to wrap up the series with tomorrow's win.

Game 6: Buffaloes 3-0 Swallows : Buffaloes lead with 3 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw. / 2022.10.29 Sat JST @ Jingu Stadium

Game 6 in the Japan Series between the Tokyo Yakult Swallows and the Orix Buffaloes was held at Jingu Stadium, Tokyo, home of the Swallows, on October 29, JST. The Buffaloes had the third straight win with a 3-0 shutout over the Swallows. The Pacific League winner was a win away from the Japan Series Champion for the first time in twenty-six years. The Swallows that hit only one in Game 6 must win tomorrow's match to survive.


The scoring process is below.


■The Buffaloes scored first.
In the top of the sixth inning, lead-off hitter Ryo Ohta got on board with a single to the left fielder. The No.2 hitter, Yuma Mune, had a sacrifice bunt to send Ohta to second. Masataka Yoshida, who hit two homers in Game 5, was intentionally walked after Keita Nakagawa (the No.3 hitter) struck out. Yutaro Sugimoto slashed an RBI single, on which Ohta scored. (1-0)


■The Buffaloes scored two more runs.
In the top of the ninth, Ryoichi Adachi(the No.6 hitter) led off the inning with a single to the right fielder off Swallows' closer, Scott McGough, who came in to pitch from the inning. The next batter, Kotaro Kurebayashi, put down a sacrifice bunt to McGough, whose throw to the first baseman was wild. Adachi came home, and batter-runner, Kurebayashi, reached third base on the error. (2-0)

After Torai Fushimi fouled out to the first baseman, Masahiro Nishino, who went to bat for a reliever, Soichiro Yamazaki, made a sacrifice fly to the right fielder to drive in Kotaro Kurebayashi. (3-0 final)



Five Buffaloes' pitchers brilliantly combined on a one-hit shutout. Left-handed starter, Sachiya Yamasaki, held the Swallows for five scoreless innings, allowing only one hit, and striking out three. Yuki Udagawa, Yoshihisa Hirano, Soichiro Yamazaki, and closer Jacob Waguespack firmly had a scoreless inning with no crashes.


Buffaloe's slugger, Yutaro Sugimoto, fulfilled his role with an RBI single in a critical situation with runners on first and second with two outs after Masataka Yoshida, who shocked the Central League Champion with two monster shots in Game 5, walked intentionally in the top of the sixth.


Swallows' pitching stuff pitched well as well. Their offense, held to only a hit, couldn't support them. Game 7 is a must-win for the Swallows with a 2-3 and a draw. 

​
The Seventh Game takes place at Jingu Stadium tomorrow. Right-handed pitcher, Cy Sneed, gets the nod in Game 7 to save the Swallows. The 30-year-old righty started Game 2 last Sunday, giving up two runs, six hits, and fanning four over four frames. Any pitchers of both clubs had a no-decision with a draw. The Buffaloes go with the 2021 rookie of the year lefty, Hiroya Miyagi, who took the mound as a starter in Game 3 last Tuesday. The 21-year-old left-hander pitched 5 1/3 innings in Game 3, allowing six hits and three runs, including a three-run home run from Swallows' slugger Tetsuto Yamada to get a loss, striking out five batters.
(NPB No.195 KAISPO No.1379)​

Buffaloes' starter, Sachiya Yamasaki

Yutaro Sugimoto, to hit RBI single to score first

Buffaloes' setup man, Yuki Udagawa

Buffaloes' setup man, Yoshihisa Hirano

Buffaloes' setup man, Soichiro Yamazaki

Buffaloes' closer, Jacob Waguespack

GAME 5

Yoshida's walk-off monster shot jolting the Swallows in Game 5, brings the Buffaloes the Series' tie.

Game 5: Buffaloes 6-4 Swallows : The series tie with 2 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw. / 2022.10.27 Thu JST @ Kyocera Dome Osaka

Masatama Yoshida, to hit two homers including a walk-off one for the Buffaloes.

Buffaloes players in great delight

Kenya Wakatsuki with an RBI double for the Buffaloes

Kotaro Kurebayashi, to hit an RBI single for the Buffaloes

Hideki Nagaoka, to hit an RBI single for the Swallows

Norichika Aoki, to hit an RBI double for the Swallows

  Game 5 in the Japan Series between the Tokyo Yakult Swallows and the Orix Buffaloes took place at Kyocera Dome Osaka, home of the Buffaloes, on October 27, JST. The Buffaloes had the second straight victory with a 6-4 walk-off win over the defending champion in Game 4 of the Japan Series. The Pacific League winner finally evened up the Series with two wins, two losses, and a draw.


  The scoring process is below.


■The Swallows scored first.
  In the top of the first inning, Jose Osuna slashed an RBI single to the center fielder in a chance with runners on first and second with two outs made by Norichika Aoki's single and Tetsuto Yamada's walk. (1-0)


  The Swallows gat an additional run.In the top of the second, the No.8 hitter, Domingo Santana, smashed a solo shot into the left-center stands off Buffaloes' starter, Daiki Tajima. (2-0)


■The Buffaloes tied the game.
  Yutaro Sugimoto got the first base on a single to the left fielder in the second batter of the bottom of the fourth inning. Yuma Mune followed with a bloop to the left and set the table with runners on first and second with one out. The No.8 batter, Kotaro Kurebayashi, singled to the center fielder to score Sugimoto after the No. 7 hitter, Ryo Ohta's lineout to the shortstop. (1-2) 
Kenya Wakatsuki continuously hit an RBI double to tie the game. (2-2)


■The Buffaloes took the lead.
  A two-time Pacific League top hitter Masataka Yoshida delivered a go-ahead solo homer into the center stands off Hikaru Yamashita in the bottom of the fifth. It was the first home run of the Buffaloes in the Series. (3-2)


■The Swallows came from behind.
  In the top of the sixth, the No.7 hitter, Yuhei Nakamura, doubled to the left. The No.9 hitter, Hideki Nagaoka, had a game-tying single to the right fielder with two outs. (3-3)

  The following hitter, Yasutaka Shiomi, hit an infield single on a soft ground ball to the second baseman to make a situation with runners on first and second. The next hitter, Norichika Aoki, doubled to the right-field corner, on which Hideki Nagaoka came home to have a one-run lead. (4-3)


■The Buffaloes walked off.
  Ryoichi Adachi, who pinched a hit for Kenya Wakatsuki, led off the bottom of the ninth and walked against Swallows' closer, Scott McGough, who came to the plate from the inning. Adachi took second base on a sacrifice bunt by the next hitter, Shuhei Fukuda. Masahiro Nishino then ripped a drive off McGough for an infield single. The closer, who fumbled the batted ball, made a sailing throw to the first baseman, Jose Osuna, breaking his posture. The second runner, Adachi, arrived home safely on the thrown ball going into foul territory. (4-4) 

  The next batter, Keita Nakagawa, struck out, which gave the Swallows the second out. Masataka Yoshida, however, crashed a game-ending two-run home run that was a 427-foot monster shot into the upper right seats. (6-4 final)




  Both teams had a double-digit hit (the Swallows with 12, the Buffaloes with 11) to try to take the seesaw game. An important thing here was that the Buffaloes' pride of relievers, such as Shota Abe, Yoshihisa Hirano, and Jacob Waguespack, combined on a shutout in the last three innings to hold a 4-3 deficit. Especially Shota Abe, who failed a relief to allow a game-tying homer in the ninth in Game 2, pitched well today over 1 1/3 innings. The 29-year-old righty recorded a 1-0 with 23 hold points over 44 frames, having a 0.61 ERA, surprisingly lower than 1.00, as a relief ace this season. He will be able to shift his emotion for the next two games. 
​
  In addition, one of the key players, Masataka Yoshida, hit two home runs for his team, which had no homers in the past four games. Also, another slugger, Yutaro Sugimoto, drove in the deciding run yesterday. With his home run, the Buffaloes will be able to seize more momentum in this Series. 

 However, although the Buffaloes tied the Series, the Swallows were skilled in tactics better than them. Additionally, the Series returns to Tokyo, where the defending champion hosts the last two games to take a home-field advantage. The Buffaloes need to score first to dominate the next away games.

The sixth match will be held at Jingu Stadium, Tokyo, on October 29.
(NPB No.193 KAISPO No.1371)

Masataka Yoshida's walk-off shot

GAME 4

 The Buffaloes' strong pitching blanks the Swallows 1-0
​ in Game 4 to grasp their 1st victory

Game 4: Buffaloes 1-0 Swallows : S lead the series 2-1-1 tie 2022.10.26 Wed JST @ Kyocera Dome Osaka

Game 4 in the Japan Series between the Tokyo Yakult Swallows and the Orix Buffaloes was held at Kyocera Dome Osaka, home of the Buffaloes, on October 26, JST. The Buffaloes took an　intense pitching duel over the Swallows 1-0 in Game 4 of the Series to have their first win and improved to 1-2 and a draw.


The scoring process is below.


The Buffaloes scored first.The No.3 hitter, Keita Nakagawa, to lead off the bottom of the third inning, was hit by a pitch. Nakagawa moved to second on a groundout to the second baseman of the next batter, Masataka Yoshida. The No.6 hitter, Yutaro Sugimoto, singled to the left fielder to drive in Nakagawa after the No. 5 hitter, Yuma Tongu, grounded out to the third baseman. (1-0) It was only run on the scoreboard today.


Buffaloes' bullpen well-protected a one-run game. Right-handed pitcher, Taisuke Yamaoka, started Game 4 and held the CL champion for 4 1/3 innings, allowing five hits. Reliever Yuki Udagawa, who replaced Yamaoka in a situation with a runner on third with one out, struck out the next two batters to keep scoreless innings, using his split with a significant drop and 96-mph fastball. Udagawa had 1 2/3 scoreless innings with four strikeouts. Soichiro Yamazaki threw two scoreless innings. Jacob Waguespack closed out the Swallows in the ninth.


Swallows' pitchers also pitched well. However, they were able to be supported by their offense.
Masanori Ishikawa missed a win as the oldest pitcher in the Japan Series history. The 42-year-old lefty threw five innings, giving up only two hits, including the RBI single from Yutaro Sugimoto, and fanning four batters. Right-hander, Naofumi Kizawa pitched a scoreless sixth and seventh. Righty Ryuta Konno ended up with no runs in the eighth, although he was relatively unstable in walking three.


The Pacific League champion wants to go to Tokyo with one more win to tie the Series, taking a home-field advantage at Kyocera Dome Osaka because the Central League winner hosts the Buffaloes for Games 6 and 7.


Game 5 for the last match at the Kyocera Dome Osaka will be held tomorrow. 


The Buffaloes aiming for the second win, start a left-handed pitcher, Daiki Tajima, in Thursday's Game 5. The 26-year-old pitcher had 9-3 with a 2.66 ERA in 20 games with no starts over the Swallows this season. On the other hand, the 23-year-old left-handed rookie Hikaru Yamashita starts for the Swallows leading the Series 2-1 with a tie. Yamashita made his NPB debut in the game against the Chunichi Dragons on September 22 and recorded 1-1 with a 1.46 ERA, throwing 12 1/3 innings in 2 games without matchups off the Buffaloes this season. 
(NPB No.191 KAISPO No.1367)

Buffaloes' starter, Taisuke Yamaoka

Yutaro Sugimoto, to hit an RBI single for Buffaloes

Buffaloes' relirver Soichiro Yamzakim

Buffaloes' reliever, Sochiro Yamazaki

Swallows' starter, Masanori Ishikawa

Buffaloes’ closer, Jacob Waguespack

GAME 3

With Yamada's 3-run recovery shot, the Swallows romp 7-1
​over the Buffaloes to take Game 3

Game 3: Swallows 7-1 Buffaloes : 2022.10.25 Tue, JST @ Kyocera Dome Osaka

Tetsuto Yamada, to hit a 3-run homer for Swallows

Swallows' starter, Keiji Takahashi

Munetaka Murakami, to hit 3 with 3 RBI for Swallows

Jose Osuna went 8 for 13 with a .615 BA, 1 homer, and 4 RBI in 3 games for Swallows.

Buffaloes' starter, Hiroya Miyagi

Game 3 in the Japan Series between the Tokyo Yakult Swallows and the Orix Buffaloes was held at Kyocera Dome Osaka, home of the Buffaloes, on October 25, JST. The Swallows overpowered the Buffaloes to improve to 2-0 with a draw. Buffaloes could not dig themselves out of a hole in their first home game. 

The scoring process is below.

The Swallows scored first.
In the top of the fifth, the lead-off hitter of the inning, Yuhei Nakamura, singled to the left fielder. The next batter, Domingo Santana, followed with a single to the center fielder to make a situation with runners on first and second with no outs. Today's lead-off hitter, Tetsuto Yamada, crushed a three-run home run into the left stands off Buffaloes' starter, Hiroya Miyagi, after the following two batters were retired. (3-0)

The Swallows got an additional run. 
In the top of the seventh inning, the first hitter of the inning, Kazuya Maruyama (the No.8 hitter), bunted for a base hit to the first baseman. The lead-off batter, Tetsuto Yamada, walked. The No. 3 hitter, Yasutaka Shiomi, was hit by a pitch to have a bases-loaded situation with two outs. The 2022 Triple Crown hitter, Munetaka Murakami, walked in a run. (4-0)

The Swallows scored three runs for insurance. 
 In the top of the ninth, Munetaka Murakami hit a two-run double to center field with runners on first and second with one out after Kotaro Yamasaki singled to the center fielder, and a pitch hit Yasutaka Shiomi. The next batter, Jose Osuna, had an RBI single to the center fielder. (7-0)

The Buffaloes came back with a run. In the bottom of the ninth, the No.6 hitter, Keita  Nakagawa, singled to the left fielder. Yutaro Sugimoto followed with a single to the center fielder to set the table with runners on first and second with one out. The pinch hitter for Torai Fushimi, Masahiro Nishino, had a single to the left fielder to score a run. But, the next two hitters were retired by Swallows reliever Reiji Kozawa. (7-1 final)

Swallows' lefty, Keiji Takahashi, struck out seven in his solid start against the Buffaloes in Game 3 of the Japan Series, allowing three hits and no runs. 

The 2021 rookie of the year's lefty, Hiroya Miyagi, started the game and gave up six hits and three runs including the three-run homer from Tetsuto Yamada, striking out five.

The Swallows have been in good condition of both their offense and defense. Especially, their slugger Tetsuto Yamada, who had no hits in the first two games, went 2-for-four with his first homer of the Series to show a sign of recovery. The Climax Series MVP winner, Jose Osuna, who hit .700 before today's game, got two hits to remain hot. The No.4 hitter, Munetaka Murakami, earned three RBI with two hits.

The Buffaloes, however, got a sluggish getaway with a 0-2 and a tie in the first three games of the Japan Series. They could not have another hit with an RBI after a runner into scoring position. They will change the mood if the two-time batting champion Masataka Yoshida and the 2021 home run leader Yutaro Sugimoto hit a home run in the next game. They must win Game 4 because the Swallows will make a situation to win the Series with a win away from the Championship if they lose it.

Game 4 of the Series will be held at the Dome tomorrow. Right-handed pitcher, Taisuke Yamaoka, starts for the Buffaloes to break the momentum of the Swallows. The 27-year-old pitcher recorded 6-8 with a 2.60 ERA in his 22 pitching appearances, including a start over the Swallows in which Yamaoka gave up six hits and one ER, striking out eight batters in seven frames, earning a win this season. Veteran lefty Masanori Ishikawa takes the mound of Game 4 as a starter. The 42-year-old pitcher had 6-4 with a 4.50 ERA in 16 games this season. He tossed a game against the Buffaloes and earned a win, allowing five hits and a run, fanning four in five frames. 
​(NPB No.190 KAISPO No.1364)

game 2

Uchiyama's 9th-inning homer ties Buffaloes
​to avoid Swallows' loss  3-3

Game 2: Swallows 3-3 Buffaloes : 2022.10.23 Sun, JST @ Jingu Stadium

Game 2 in the Japan Series between the Tokyo Yakult Swallows and the Orix Buffaloes was held at Jingu Stadium, Tokyo, on October 23, JST. The game ended in a three-all draw by a rule with 12 innings.

The scoring process is below.

◆The Buffaloes scored first.
In the top of the third, the first hitter of the inning, Kotaro Kurebayashi, doubled to the right and reached third base on a groundout to the second baseman of the next batter, Trai Fushimi. Buffaloes starter Sachiya Yamasaki singled to the right fielder to get the game's first run to help himself 1-0.

Ryoichi Adachi followed with a single to the right. Yuma Mune also followed with a single to the right, and Sachiya Yamasaki came home on right fielder Domingo Santana's error. (2-0)


◆The Buffaloes had an additional run.
Buffaloes' slugger, Yutaro Sugimoto, hit an RBI infield single to the third baseman in a situation with runners on first and third with two outs in the top of the fifth. (3-0)


◆The Swallows tied the game.
In the bottom of the ninth, their first hitter of the inning, Takeshi Miyamoto, doubled to the right. The next batter Yasutaka Shiomi walked to first base to have a situation with runners on first and second with no outs. Souma Uchiyama, who went to bat for reliever Ryuta Konno, smashed a game-tying three-run home run off Buffaloe's closer, Shota Abe. (3-3) It sent the game into extra innings.

The game ended in a three-all draw by a rule because both bullpens allowed no more runs until the 12th inning. Each team pitched eight pitchers to hold the tie in a five-hour three-minute game.

The Swallows gave the Buffaloes, which had a lead of 3-0 until the eighth inning, a severe blow. They must have won the game by shutting the door in the ninth. The series, however, shifts to Osaka for Game 3, where the Buffaloes will try to change their mood with a home-field advantage.
(NPB No.187 KAISPO No.1357)

Souma Uchiyama, to hit a game-tying 3-run homer in the ninth

Buffaloes' Starter, Sachiya Yamasaki, to hit a single to score first in the third

game 1

Swallows' 3 shots shock Buffaloes to take opener 4-2

Game 1: Swallows 4-2 Buffaloes : 2022.10.22 Sat, JST @ Jingu Stadium

Yasutaka Shiomi, to hit a solo homer

Jose Osuna, to hit a solo homer

Munetaka Murakami, to hit a solo homer

Swallows' starter, Yasuhiro Ogawa

The 2022 Japan Series in the best-of-seven matchup opened at Jingu Stadium in Tokyo on October 22, JST. Game 1 between the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, the Central League's champion, and the Orix Buffaloes, the Pacific League's winner, was held on the day. Both teams advanced to the series for the second consecutive year. The Swallows won the series over the Buffaloes with a win-loss record of 4-2 last year. The series will adopt the policy of announcing starting pitchers in advance. Games 1 and 2 will take place at Jingu Stadium, home of the Swallows. Matches 3 and 4 will be at Kyocera Dome Osaka. Games 5 at Kyocera Dome Osaka and 6 and 7 at Jingu Stadium will be held if necessary.
The Swallows took the opener today with a 4-2 victory over the Buffaloes.

◆The Swallows got a good start. They made a chance with runners on first and third with two outs by lead-off hitter Yasutaka Shiomi's single to the left fielder and Triple Crown winner Munetaka Murakami's walk in the bottom of the first inning. Slugger Jose Osuna slashed a double to the left fielder to score Shiomi and Murakami, giving his team a 2-0 lead. 

◆The Buffaloes, however, tied the game shortly. At the top of the second, Kotaro Kurebayashi hit an RBI single on a line drive to the right fielder in a bases-loaded situation with one out after a walk and two singles 1-2. With still keeping the bases loaded after Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out swinging, lead-off man Shuhei Fukuda drew a walk to force home the tying run 2-2.

◆Yasutaka Shiomi, to lead off the bottom of the third, delivered a go-ahead solo shot into the left-center stands for the Swallows off four-award pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto 3-2. In addition, Jose Osuna launched a solo homer into the left stands off Yamamoto to make it 4-2 in the bottom of the fourth.

◆In the top of the eighth, the Buffaloes cut their deficit. T-Okada, who batted for reliever Shota Abe, singled to the center fielder to drive in Masahiro Ninisho, who singled and reached second base on a sacrifice bunt 3-4. 

◆In the bottom of the eighth, the Swallows extended their lead. Munetaka Murakami, who hit 56 homers, the second place in NPB history this season, smashed a solo shot off former D-bucks reliever Yoshishisa Hirano into the right stands to give his team a 2-run lead of 5-3.

The Buffaloes couldn't catch the Swallows by the three-homer damage.

Swallows righty Yasuhiro Ogawa made his start. Ogawa won, allowing six hits, a walk, and two earned runs in five innings. Four relievers following Ogawa combined on only one run in four innings. 

 Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the best pitcher in Japanese baseball, started the opener for the Buffaloes and gave up four hits with four earned runs, including two solo home runs off Yasutaka Shiomi and Jose Osuna, striking out over 4 0/3 frames. Yamamoto left the mound during an at-bat with Patrick Kivlehan, the fifth inning's first batter, because of an uncomfortable feeling to the sides.

Game 2 will take place at the Stadium tomorrow. Right-handed pitcher Cy Sneed will start for the Swallows. The righty had 9-6 with a 3.54 ERA in 23 games, including 0-1 in a game against the Buffaloes this season. Buffaloes' righty Sachiya Yamasaki will start Game 2. Yamasaki recorded 5-8 with a 3.45 ERA, having no appearances vs. the Swallows this season.
(NPB No.185 KAISPO No.1351)

Jose Osuna

Buffaloes' starter, Yoshinobu Yamamoto

climax series 

Final Stage
- Best of Six -

GAME 4 OF PACIFIC LEAGUE

Buffaloes grab their revenge on Swallows with a walk-off win over Hawks.

Game 4: Buffaloes 3-2 Hawks : 2022.10.15 JST

​
The fourth game on the final stage of the Pacific League Climax Series between the Orix Buffaloes and the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks was held at Kyocera Dome Osama on October 15, JST. The Buffaloes defeated the Hawks 3-2 in walk-off fashion in Game 4. They earned four wins, including a one-win advantage, reached the Japan Series for the second straight year, and their fourteenth overall. 

The Buffaloes took a 2-0 lead with Masataka Yoshida's second series homer into the high center stands off Tsuyoshi Wada, the Hawks starting pitcher, in the bottom of the fourth. 

The Hawks' slugger Alfred Despaigne belted a two-run home run off righty Soichiro Yamasaki to tie the game 2-2 in the top of the seventh. 

In the bottom of the ninth, the buffaloes' offense set the table with runners on second and third with two outs. The number 3 hitter Keita Nakagawa hit a game-deciding single on a line drive to go through the hole between third and short 3-2.

The Buffaloes' righty Taisuke Yamaoka started the game and held the Hawks scoreless for four innings with four strikeouts, allowing two hits. Righty Yuki Udagawa, who took over the mound from Yamaoka, pitched two perfect innings. Righty Soichiro Yamazaki, following Udagwa, threw a hit with Despaigne's shot and struck out three using a 99.3-mph fastball over two frames. Closer's righty Shota Abe had a shutout relief with a hit in the ninth to wait for the walk-off victory.

The Tokyo Yakult Swallows will participate in the Japan Series as a Central League champion for the second year. The Swallows won the Series last year. The Buffaloes will meet the Swallows for two years in a row to revenge the defeat. 

The Japan Series by a best-of-seven will begin at Jingu Stadium on October 22, JST. 
(NPB No. 107 KAISPO No. 1327)

Starter for Buffaloes, Taisuke Yamaoka

Masataka Yoshida, to hit a 2-run homer

Keita Nakagawa, to hit a walk-off single

GAME 3 OF CENTRAL LEAGUE

Murakami sends Swallows to sweep Tigers to Japan Series

Munetaka Murakami, to hit an RBI infield single

Murakami to have a headfirst slide to 1st for an RBI infield single

Tetsuto Yamada, to hit an RBI double

Closer, Scott McGough

Game 3: Swallows 6-3 Tigers : 2022.10.14 JST

The third game on the final stage of the Central League Climax Series between the Tokyo Yakult Swallows with two wins and the Hanshin Tigers with two losses, was held at Jingu Stadium, Tokyo, on October 14, JST. The Swallows swept the series with a 6-3 victory over the Tigers to clinch the Japan Series berth for the second year in a row as a defending champion. Their second consecutive appearance in the Japan Series is the first time since 1993. 

The Swallows came from behind to win today.

In the seventh, in which they were down by three runs, 0-3, the first-ranked team grabbed a chance with the bases loaded with two outs. The Swallows scored two runs on a throwing error to the second by the Tigers' first baseman, Jefry Marte, who caught a ground ball that Kotaro Yamasaki hit, 2-3. The next batter, Takeshi Miyamoto, followed with a walk to have the bases-loaded situation again. Munetaka Murakami, a Triple Crown winner, hit a two-run infield single on a weak grounder to the pitcher, Masumi Hamachi. Also,  two more runners continuously came home during hamachi's throwing error to flip Murakami's ground ball with his glove to first, 5-3.

In the eighth, Tetsuto Yamada, the 2015 home run leader, doubled with an RBI on a line drive to the center fielder for insurance, 6-3.

The Swallows' starting pitcher, Keiji Takahashi, gave up four hits, four walks, and three runs, striking out seven over five frames. Closer Scott McGough shut the door in the ninth after three relievers following Takahashi combined three scoreless innings.

The Tigers' ace pitcher, Koyo Aoyagi, pitched very well, allowing only three hits, four walks, and four runs with five strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings. The sidearmer's righty left the mound with a 3-0 lead during the seventh in a position to win, being confident of his team's victory to survive the final series. 
However, the Tigers had a result of losing the game to errors that they never imagined.

The Japan Series by a best-of-seven format will open at Jingu Stadium, home of the Swallows, on October 22. As the Central League's and defending champion, the Swallows will meet the Pacific league's champion. 
(NPB No. 105 KAISPO No. 1325)

"Ghost forker," Senga, silences Buffaloes to keep alive

Game 3:  Hawks 3-0 Buffaloes: 2022.10.14 JST

The third game on the final stage of the Pacific League Climax Series between the Orix Buffaloes and the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks was held at Kyocera Dome Osaka on October 14, JST. The Hawks beat the Buffaloes 3-0 to hold out hope for the Series victory. By today's result, the Hawks had one win and two losses, while the Buffaloes went three wins, including a one-win advantage and one loss.

The Hawks got three runs, and their bullpens combined on a shutout.

In the first, the Hawks' lead-off hitter, Masaki Mimori, reached the second base with a double to right-center field. The next batter, Ukyo Shuto, had a sacrifice bunt to the Buffaloes' starter, Daiki Tajima, to send Mimori to the third base. Mimori luckily came home by Tajima's throwing error to the first baseman, 1-0. A designated hitter from Cuba, Alfredo Despaigne, also singled to the center fielder to score Shuto 2-0.

In the seventh, the third baseman, Isami Nomura, delivered a solo shot into the right stands to add the third run, 3-0.

The Hawks' hill staff threw well to save their team. Their ace righty, Kodai Senga, held the league champion scoreless for 6 0/3 innings with three hits, striking out five. The 29-year-old pitcher effectively used his nasty splitter and 99-mph fastball. In the final inning, 2021 holds leader lefty Livan Moinelo closed the game after three relievers kept scoreless innings.

 The Hawks are still alive by today's game, but the situation in which they can't lose anymore. They need three more victories to win the series.

The fourth match will be held at the Dome tomorrow. The right-handed pitcher, Taisuke Yamaoka, will start for the Buffaloes. Yamaoka recorded 6-8 with a 2.60 ERA and had no appearances against the Hawks this season. The 41-year-old lefty Tsuyoshi Wada will open for the Hawks. The veteran pitcher played for the Hawks from 2003 to 2011, the Chicago Cubs in 2014 and 2015, and returned to his old home in 2016. Wada had 7-4 with a 2.78 ERA this season and 0-3 with a 5.03 in five games vs. the Buffaloes, which was unfavorable.
(NPB No. 103 KAISPO No. 1317)

Buffaloes' starter, Daiki Tajima

Hawks' starter, Kodai Senga

Alfredo Despaigne, to hit a RBI single for Hawks

Isami Nomura, to hit a solo shot

Liván Moinelo, to shut the door in the ninth for Hawks

GAME 2 OF central LEAGUE

Murakami's 2-run homer Puts Sweeping Tigers in Check 

Swallows' starter, Cy Sneed

Munetaka Murakmi, to hit a 2-run homer for Swallows

Movie: Munetaka Murakami hitting 2-run home run

Hideki Nagaoka, to hit a solo homer for Swallows

Jose Osuna, to hit a solo homer for Swallows

Tigers' starter, Shintaro Fujinami

Game 2: Swallows 5-3 Tigers : 2022.10.13 JST

The Second game on the final stage of the Central League Climax Series between the Tokyo Yakult Swallows and the Hanshin Tigers was held at Jingu Stadium, Tokyo, on October 13, JST. The Swallows took down the Tigers, 5-3, to have two straight wins. They need just one more victory to advance to the Japan Series. If the Tigers lose one game, it's all over, and vice versa.

The game began with both starters, Shintaro Fujinami for the Tigers and Cy Sneed for the Swallows. 

In the first, the Tigers' hit machine, Koji Chikamoto, hit an RBI single to the right fielder to score first, 1-0.

   Murakami 's 2-run shot to turn the table

Munetaka Murakami, Triple Crown winner of the regular season with 56 homers, however, homered with two RBI into the left stands off Shintaro Fujinami to turn the table in the third, 2-1. Swallows' shortstop, Hideki Nagaoka, hit a solo shot into the right field seats in the fourth, and a hard hitter, Jose Osuna, smashed a two-run home run two games in a row in the fifth to expand their lead 5-1.

Starter's righty Cy Sneed frequently pitched with a runner but allowed seven hits and a run over 5 2/3 innings. The righty didn't allow a  winning blow. 

       Tigers have a double-digit hit, but...

The Tigers had eleven hits more than the Swallows, with seven in two consecutive games. But, they were not able to make profitable use of their chances. The Tigers' starting pitcher, Shintaro Fujinami, gave up two hits, four walks, and two runs, striking out four in three frames. The homer from Murakami he allowed in the third changed the game's direction. 21-year-old hopeful righty Junya Nishi, who relieved Fujinami from the fourth, was hit the two shots from Nagaoka and Osuna and could not change the tide. 

The Swallows earned three victories, including a one-win advantage to be the series winner with one more win. The Tigers had their back to the wall.

       Aoyagi  and Takahashi start Game 3

The third match will be held at the stadium tomorrow. The Tigers will start a right-sidearmer, Koyo Aoyagi, in game 3, who was the league's winningest pitcher of the regular season with 13-8 and a 2.05 ERA. Aoyagi posted 3-1 in five starts against the Swallows this season. Swallows' lefty, Keiji Takahashi, will oppose Aoyagi in the third game. Takahashi had 8-2 with a 2.63 ERA in his seventeen appearances this regular season, in which he recorded 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA in three starts vs. the Tigers. ​
(NPB No. 101 KAISPO No. 1313)

Yusuke Ohyama, to have 3 hits for Tigers

GAME 2 OF pacific LEAGUE

Sugimoto's Game-deciding Shot Drives Key of Japan Series

Game 2: Buffaloes 4-3 Hawks : 2022.10.13 JST

The Second game on the final stage of the Pacific League Climax Series between the Orix Buffaloes and the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks was held at Kyocera Dome Osaka on October 13, JST. The Buffaloes took the one-run game, 4-3, to need one more victory to win the series. On the other hand, the Hawks were driven into a situation where they could not lose anymore. 

Today's buffaloes could repeatedly answer the runs.

After allowing a run in the top of the first inning, the Buffaloes got a run to tie the game with a designated hitter, Yutaro Sugimoto's RBI infield single, to the shortstop in the bottom of the first, 1-1.

Buffaloes' starting pitcher, Hiorya Miyagi, gave up one more run with an RBI double from the Hawks' slugger, Yuki Yanagita, in the top of the third. However, in the bottom of the third, Masahiro Nishino hit a sacrifice fly to the center fielder after they made a situation with runners on first and third base and no outs with two consecutive hits from Keita Nakagawa and Masataka Yoshida, 2-2. At the bottom of the fifth, white-hot hitter Yutaro Sugimoto belted a go-ahead two-run homer into the left stands, 4-2.

  Miyagi Earns His First Career Win in PS

The 2021 rookie of the year lefty, Hiroya Miyagi, took the mound as a starter and allowed five hits and two runs in five innings to keep his team in the game, earning his first career win in the postseason. 

The Hawks could not catch the Buffaloes, although they narrowed it to a one-run margin in the final inning.

The Buffaloes need only one win away from advancing to the Japan Series. The Hawks, with two losses, have no choice but to win the next game to survive. 

Left-handed pitcher, Daiki Tajima, will start the third game for the Buffaloes. The Lefty had a win in the third match against the Chiba Lotte Marines in the final stage previous season, pitching three hits with no runs over six frames.
Tajima had 9-3 with a 2.66 ERA, his career-high, and recorded 1-0 in his five starts vs. the Hawks this regular season. 

The Hawks are going with their ace righty Kodai Senga with 11-6 and a 1.94 ERA in 22 pitching appearances of the regular season. Senga took the mound as a starter in four games against the Buffaloes and left 2-1 with a 1.86 ERA. ​
( NPB No. 99 KAISPO No. 1307)

Buffaloes' starter, Hiroya Miyagi

Yutaro Sugimoto, to have 3 hits including a 2-run homer for Buffaloes

Yuki Yanagita, to hit an RBI double for Hawks

Masataka Yoshida, to have 2 hits for Buffaloes

Game 1 of Central league

Osuna and Santana's Shots Lift Swallows over Tigers in Game 1

Starting pitcher for Swallows, Yasuhiro Ogawa

Jose Osuna, to hit a 3-run homer in the 1st for Swallows

Domingo Santana, to hit a 2-run homer in the 5th for Swallows

Game 1: Swallows 7-1 Tigers : 2022.10.12 JST

The final stage of the Central League Climax Series opened at Jingu Stadium, Tokyo, on October 12, JST. The first game between the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, the 2022 League Champion, and the Hanshin Tigers, the third-ranked regular season team with a first-stage winner, was held at Jingu Stadium, the home of the Swallows. The final stage is a best-of-six, with the home-field advantage going to the higher-ranked team. As the Champion of the regular season, the Swallows have already had a one-win advantage to win the series with three victories. 

Today, the Swallows crushed the Tigers 7-1 to earn two wins combined with the one-win advantage.


    Osuna and  Santana combine  6 RBI


The Swallows dominated the game in the early portion. Former Pirates player, Jose Osuna, hit a three-run homer into the left stands off the Tigers' righty, Yuki Nishi, to score first in the first, 3-0. In the following inning, left fielder Kotaro Yamasaki singled to the center fielder to drive in their fourth run, 4-0. Additionally, former  Indians player, Domingo Santana, had a sacrifice fly to the center fielder to expand their lead to 5-0 in the third. Santana also homered against the batter's eye in two runs for insurance in the fifth, 7-1. 

                                 Ogawa fans 6

​
The Swallows starter, Yasuhiro Ogawa, pitched well and allowed six hits, a walk, and one run, fanning six over 6 2/3 frames. Three relievers after Ogawa had the rest of the innings of shutout relieves.

The Tigers hit nine more than the Swallows, with seven. They, however, could not make decisive chances to score. Yuki Nishi, a starter for the Tigers, was shaky and gave up five hits and five runs in four innings.

The second match will be held at the stadium tomorrow. Former Astros righty, Cy Sneed, will start the game for the Swallows, and righty, Shintaro Fujinami, to aim at MLB this off-season, will take the mound as a starter for the Tigers.
( NPB No. 95 KAISPO No. 1303)

Kotaro Yamasaki, to hit an RBI single in the 3rd

Starter for Tigers, Yuki Nishi

GAME 1 OF Pacific LEAGUE

Yamamoto Dominant on Mound in Win over Hawks

Game 1: Buffaloes 5-0 Hawks : 2022.10.12 JST

The final stage of the Pacific League Climax Series opened on October 12, JST. The first game between the Orix Buffaloes, the 2022 League Champion, and the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, the second-ranked regular season team with a first-stage winner, was held at Kyocera Dome Osaka, the home of the Buffaloes. The final stage is a best-of-six, with the home-field advantage going to the higher-ranked team. As the Champion of the regular season, the Buffaloes have already had a one-win advantage to win the series with three victories. 


   Hawks' winning streak stops at 18 in PS


The Buffaloes topped the Hawks, 5-0, to acquire two victories, including a one-win advantage. The Hawks' winning streak through the postseason stopped at eighteen games. 

One of the leading pitchers in Japanese baseball, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, overwhelmed the Hawks' lineup to break the momentum that they had won two games in a row. Yamamoto held them scoreless for eight innings with five hits while striking out ten on the mound, leading his team to a 5-0 victory. In the last inning, former Diamond Backs set upper, Yoshihisa Hirano shut the door.


    Yamamoto to have 17 straight 0 innings


The 24-year-old righty has had seventeen consecutive shutout innings since he took his first career mound in the postseason. 
Yamamoto also became the fifth pitcher to record double-digit strikeouts more than three times in the playoffs after Yu Darvish, Kazuhisa Ishii, Takahiro Norimoto, and Kodai Senga. 


            Sugimoto hits 2 and gets 2 RBI

​
The buffaloes scored the first run on a bases-loaded walk in the fourth, 1-0. In addition, they got two runs in two straight bases-loaded walks in the fifth, 3-0. And too designated hitter, Yutaro Sugimoto, followed with a two-run single to the center fielder, 4-0. Lastly, two-time batting champion Masataka Yoshida belted a solo home run into the right stands to add an insurance run in the seventh, 5-0.

The Hawks resulted in their self-destruction in a walk fest with eight walks and were ineffectual against Yamamoto.​

The second match will be held at the Dome on October 13. The 2021 rookie of the year's lefty, Hiroya Miyagi, will take the mound as a starter for the Buffaloes. The Hawks will start with the third year's righty, Yugo Bando.
（NPB No.96 KAISPO No.1304)

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, to pitch well for Buffaloes

Closer for Buffaloes, Yoshihisa HIrano

Yutaro Sugimoto, to have 2 hits and 2 RBI for Buffaloes

Masataka Yoshida, to hit a solo homer for Buffaloes

1st Stage
- Best of three -

​Tigers in the 3rd beat the 2nd-ranked Bay Stars for the final

CENTRAL LEAGUE

3rd game / 10.10.2022 : Togers 3-2 Bay Stars
The final match of the first stage of the Central League Climax Series between the Yokohama Bay Stars and Hanshin Tigers was held at Yokohama Stadium on October 10. The Tigers took a close game, 3-2, to clinch the final stage berth with a 2-1 win-loss record of the stage.

Tigers' starter, Hiroto Saiki, allowed the game's first run with a solo homer from Bay Stars' former batting champion, Toshiro Miyazaki, in the second, 0-1. Saiki threw a wild pitch in the following inning, giving up the third baserunner to score 0-2.

The Bay Stars advantageously developed the game in the early portion.

The Tigers, however, came back to score a run with a solo home run over the center fence of the second-year slugger, Teruaki Sato, in the fourth, 1-2. And, too, they made a chance with a runner on second and no outs in which the 2021 league hit leader, Koji Chikamoto, hit a game-tying double off the right fence. In addition, after one out, Fumihito Haraguchi singled to the left fielder to go ahead, 3-2. 

After Saiki left the mound during the third, the Tigers' four relievers managed hard to shake off the Bay Stars' tenacious offense until the last inning without any more runs.

In the third of the regular season, the Tigers beat the Bay Stars in the second on the first stage of the Central League.

The Tigers clinched the final stage berth against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, the Central League Champion. 
（NPB No.92 KAISPO No.1291)

Koji Chikamoto, to hit a game-tying double for the Tigers

Teruaki Sato, to hit a solo shot for the Tigers

Fumihito Haraguchi, to hit a go-ahead single for the Tigers

Atsuki Yuasa, as a closer for the Tigers

Toshiro Miyazaki, to hit a solo shot for the Bay Stars

Shugo Maki, to have 2 hits for the Bay Syars

The bay stars took one-run game to tie, 1-0

central league

Shinichi Ohnuki

Yamato

Masashi Ito

2nd game / 10.9.2022 :Bay Stars 1-0 Tigers
​The second match between the Yokohama DeNA Bay Stars and the Hanshin Tigers in the first stage of the Climax Series was held at Yokohama Stadium on October 8. The Bay Stars took the second, 1-0, to tie the Tigers. 

The Bay Stars' shortstop, Yamato, hit a tie-breaking single to the center fielder to score first, 1-0, in a situation with runners on first, second base, and no outs in the fifth. It was the only run of the game for both teams.

The Bay Stars' starting pitcher, Shinichi Ohnuki, pitched 6 1/3 strong innings, striking out ten to save his team, which could not lose anymore. Reliever, Hiromu Ise, and closer, Yasuaki Yamasaki, threw a no-hitter in the rest of the innings after Ohnuki.

The Tigers' lefty, Masashi Ito, also pitched well, with one run in five innings. The Tigers' pitchers, Junya Nishi and Kyle Keller, had good pitching but could not receive any support from their offense.

The third match to decide a winner will be held at the stadium tomorrow. The winner will meet the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, the Central League season leader, on the final stage to get to the Japan Series. 
（NPB No.87 KAISPO No.1286)

 Yanagita with grand slam sends Hawks to final series

Pacific league

2nd game / 10.9.2022: Hawks 8-2 Lions
The second game on the Climax Series' first stage in the Pacific League between the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and the Saitama Seibu Lions was held at Pay Pay Dome, Fukuoka, Japan, on October 9. The Hawks had two straight wins over the Lions 8-2 to advance to the final stage. 

Hawks batters actively hit eleven and scored eight runs. Hawks Slugger, Yuki Yanagita, crushed a grand slam to score first in the third, with which he hit a homer two games in a row. Takuya Kai hit two RBI singles. 

The Hawks starter, Nao Higashihama, who pitched a no-hitter this season, allowed four hits and a run in five strong frames, and four relievers finished up. 

The Lions slugger, Hotaka Yamakawa, a home run leader with 41 homers in the Pacific League this season, homered in the last inning, but it didn't make sense by a large margin.
​
The victory brought the Hawks an eighteen-game winning streak in the postseason.

The Hawks will have the final stage vs. the Orix Buffaloes, the Pacific League Champion, at Kyocera Dome Osaka from October 12  to move on to the Japan Series.
（NPB No.86 KAISPO No.1285)

Nao Higashihama

Yuki Yanagita

Takuya Kai

The hawks takes the 1st, 5-3

Pacific League

1st game / 10.8.2022: Hawks 5-3 Lions
The NPB playoffs have opened. The first game on the Climax Series' first stage in the Pacific League between the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and the Saitama Seibu Lions was held at Pay Pay dome, Fukuoka, Japan, on October 8. The Hawks took the game, 5-3, to need one more win to advance to the final stage.

Hawks slugger, Yuki Yanagita, hit a three-run shot to expand their lead, 4-0, after scoring the first run in the third. Their ace, Kodai Senga, started the game. The righty gave up four hits and three runs and struck out eleven over eight solid innings to play his role. 

Lions starting pitcher, Kona Takahashi, allowed five runs in six frames. Their batters couldn't handle Senga, although Tomoya Mori belted a solo shot. 
（NPB No.85 KAISPO No.1284)

Kodai Senga

Kona Takahashi

Yuki Yanagita

Tomoya Mori

The tigers takes the 1st, 2-0

central league

1st game / 10.8.2022: Tigers 2-0 Bay Stars
The first match between the Yokohama DeNA Bay Stars and the Hanshin Tigers in the first stage of the Climax Series was held at Yokohama Stadium on October 8. The Tigers beat the Bay Stars, 2-0 to be a game-win away from the final stage. 

The Tigers made a chance with bases loaded and one out in the fifth, and Koji Chikamoto hit a tie-breaking single with two RBIs off the Bay Stars ace, Shota Imanaga, 2-0. 

The Tigers' ace sidearmer, Koyo Aoyagi, had his fourth appearance in the Climax Series and gave up four hits and no runs over six strong innings to earn his first series win. Aoyagi also hit a chance-making single in the fifth. Aoyagi and four relievers combined on a shutout.

The Bay Stars stacked their lineup with six left-handed hitters for Aoyagi. They, however, didn't work very well.
（NPB No.84 KAISPO No.1283)

Koyo Aoyagi

Koji Chikamoto

Shota Imanaga