SMBC Japan Series 2025 Game 5: Hanshin Tigers 2-3 Softbank (11 extra inning) (30th, Koshien)
The "SMBC Japan Series 2025" was held in Koshien for the fifth round, and Softbank won the Japan for the 12th time in five years. They came from behind to win 3-2 and won 4 consecutive victories from the loss in the first game. Yuki Yanagita outfielder (37) tied the game with two runs in the eighth inning, and Isami Nomura infielder (28) hit a winning solo shot in the extra inning 11th. Coach Yuki Kokubo (54), who is in his second year in office, succeeded in avenging last year's Japan Series (S) defeat to DeNA. Hanshin Tigers was the first time in 57 games that Daichi Ishii pitcher (28), who was hit by Yanagida, regular season in 57 games since the The Giants match (Tokyo D) runs on April 4th. I missed the first time in two years that I was the best in Japan.
Yanagida's smile exploded. He was in the middle of the circle of joy. He was the first to put his hand on the back of manager Kokubo, who inherited number 9 jersey. "I haven't been able to contribute anything since Kokubo became manager. I'm happy that I was able to help Kokubo become the best in Japan." The oldest player on the team, who had been plagued by injuries for two consecutive years, raised his arm with all his might.
Despite his batting average of .455, he was on a rampage at the end of the Japan Series. With one out and a runner on first in the eighth inning, he hit a two-run home run into the left field stands to tie the game. "Consecutive hits are tough. I wanted to hit a long hit, but it just went too well," he said, making a powerful follow-through. This save-the-game hit was the team's 100th in the Japan Series. At 37 years and 0 months old, he became the fourth oldest Home Run in Series history to hit a home run. His total of five home runs in the championship game also puts him in second place on the team, tied with Katsuya Nomura and Graciela. In his previous at-bat, this battle-hardened veteran, who had become the 11th player in Series history to reach 50 hit, instantly changed the atmosphere.
He took a long break this season due to a fractured right tibia. On the day before the start of the series, he received encouragement from trainer Arima, who visited Mizuho PayPay D. He was reunited with the partner who supported him through his long rehabilitation. "It reminded me of Chikugo (farm facility). It's not just my own strength, but the people around me," he said, feeling grateful as he faced the final showdown. "I felt a responsibility to make the people of Chikugo happy," he said, making good on his word. He was truly the main character for the Hawks. (Ando Osamu)
Related News
・ [Japan Series] 37-year-old Yuki Yanagita hits a game-tying two-run home run to save the game. He is the fourth oldest player in team history to hit the team's 100th home run.
・ [Japan Series] Softbank manager Hiroki Kokubo: "I've always felt a sense of loss" - quietly celebrating the Japan Series title he missed out on last year
・ [Japan Series] Isami Nomura: "It's truly an incredible season" - He hits the winning home run in the 11th extra inning to clinch the Japan Series title
・ [Japan Series] Kanpei Hazama praises Yuki Yanagita for his tying home run, saying, "He finally roared." He also congratulates Softbank on their victory.
・ Tsuneo Horiuchi praised Softbank 's Yuki Yanagita for his three-run home run that broke the tie, saying, "His concentration is impressive. He's a different player."
