HIROSHIMA, Oct 16 (Japan Times) - The Hiroshima Carp defeated the DeNA BayStars 4-2 on Sunday to sweep their best-of-three Central League Climax Series' first stage in two games to set up a clash with the CL champion Hanshin Tigers.
Kosuke Tanaka came off the bench with no outs and the bases loaded in a 2-2 eighth-inning tie at Hiroshima's Mazda Stadium. The 34-year-old veteran smashed the first pitch from reliever Taiga Kamichatani into right to give his team the lead.
Shogo Akiyama's sacrifice fly made it 4-2, and closer Ryoji Kuribayashi worked a scoreless ninth to earn the save and send the Carp to the CLCS final stage at Koshien Stadium starting Wednesday. ...continue reading