It is the first championship in 26 years.
The Yokohama DeNA Baystars beat the Softbank Hawks 11-2 in Game 6 of the 2024 Japanese professional baseball postseason Japanese series at Yokohama Scadium in Yokohama, Japan on the 3rd.
Yokohama DeNA, which led by leadoff hitter Yoshitomo Tsutsugo’s first solo arch in the bottom of the second inning, ran away with Masayuki Kawahara’s two-run timely hit with two outs and runners on the second and third bases. Yokohama DeNA, who added one more run in the bottom of the third inning, allowed two runs in the top of the fourth inning, but brought about a win in the bottom of the fifth inning.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Yokohama DeNA started creating chances with a hit by Yastaka Tobashira after one out. Keito Mori got on base with a walk and pinch hitter Keita Sano hit a hit, loading the bases. Kuwahara added one more run with a walk. Kajiwara Kowki’s timely hit.
With two outs and a full base loaded with two outs, Shugo Maki stepped down as a straight-line hitter at second base, Austin hit an RBI single. Tsutsugo then hit a three-run double to bring in all runners who were on the ground. Toshiro Miyazaki’s RBI double was recorded. He scored a whopping seven runs in the bottom of the fifth inning alone, sealing the game. 메이저놀이터
Since then, the mound has not lost a point and overpowered Softbank.
Yokohama DeNA was defeated by Softbank in both the first and second games of the Japanese Series. It seemed as if Softbank was close to winning the title. However, Yokohama DeNA then launched counterattack. By winning all three away matches of Softbank, the team successfully reversed the mood. It then secured the sixth game at its home ground, and secured Japan Series title for the first time in 26 years.
Tsutsugo challenged himself to become a big league player after the 2019 season ended. He played for the Tampa Bay Rays, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Pittsburgh Pirates. After playing in the minor league and the U.S. independent league, he returned to his former team, Yokohama DeNA, to lead his team to victory this season. He was alone in charge of four RBIs in the game.
Nevertheless, Tsutsugo plans to set another goal and run for the next season. According to the Japanese media Chunichi Sports, he said, “But we haven’t won the league yet, so we have to try to win next year. That’s homework.”
