◆SMBC Japan Series 2025 Game 4: Hanshin Tigers 2-3 Softbank (29th, Koshien)
Softbank Koshien Hanshin Tigers The team won the second game in a row, 3-0-1, to clinch the top spot in Japan for the first time in five years.
Softbank Ryosuke Otsu pitcher, who made his first start in the Japan series, pitched well with 3 hit and no runs in 5 innings. The first time was the start of a three-way retirement. In the second inning when his teammates scored one run, he made it to hit and Walk with two outs on first and second base, but Obata was hit with a grounder and got through with no runs. After that, he made runner every time, but tightened the key points and did not allow a goal.
The batting line took the lead in the second inning when both teams were scoreless, and Hotaka Yamakawa infielder hit a Home Run in three consecutive games, which was a tie for the Japan series. In the 5th inning with a one-run lead and one out bases loaded, Tatsuru Yanagimachi outfielder hit a solid sacrifice fly with one pitch and scored a valuable second run, and in the sixth inning with two outs and second base, Kensuke Kondo, who appeared as a pinch hitter for Otsu, hit a right-handed hit to score the third run. In the 8th inning with the score 3-0, Yuki Matsumoto, who took the mound in 4th place, lost 2 runs due to Teruaki Sato's timely hit, but the guardian deity Kazuki Sugiyama, who took the mound in the final inning, closer to runs and defended the 1-run lead.
There have been 25 times in the past when a team has been down 2-1 and is on the verge of winning. 24 of those times they have been crowned Japan champions, giving them an overwhelming 96% chance of victory. Also, Softbank has been on the verge of winning 2-1 and is on the verge of winning 4 of those 5 times. The summit, which has been out of reach since 2020, is finally within sight.
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・ [Scoreboard] Hanshin Tigers vs. Softbank
・ [Japan Series] Softbank 's Ryosuke Otsu, who started in the Japan Series for the first time, struck out all three batters.
・ [Japan Series] Softbank 's Ryosuke Otsu "I was focused in a good atmosphere of tension" - He left the game after 5 innings with 3 hit no runs but also got his first hit in his first professional at-bat
・ [Japan Series] Softbank 's third-year left-handed starter, Ryosuke Otsu gets his first hit in his first professional at-bat
・ [Japan Series] Hanshin Tigers 's Haruto Takahashi was hit by Softbank 's Hotaka Yamakawa straight away, with two strike and the ball was thrown into the back screen.
