The Hanshin Tigers used the Yomiuri Giants as wealth to secure the Central League title for the first time in 18 years.

Hanshin won 4-2 against Yomiuri at Nishinomiya Koshien Stadium in Hyogo Prefecture on the 14th. With the victory on this day, Hanshin voluntarily erased the Magic Number 1, which was the last remaining until the regular season championship, and confirmed the Central League title.

As the championship was imminent, the Kansai area, Hanshin’s hometown, was in a festive mood from early on. On this day, Koshien Stadium attracted 42,648 spectators, the largest number in one NPB game this season.

Hanshin’s Hiroto Saiki and Yomiuri’s Yuji Akahoshi faced off as starters, and a tight pitching match continued until the middle of the game. Both teams rarely scored, but Hanshin finally scored the first run in the bottom of the sixth inning.

After the leadoff hitter’s hit, a chance to get first and third base with one out. Yusuke Oyama, the fourth batter, made the first RBI with a sacrifice fly, and Teruaki Sato, the fifth batter, hit a two-run home run. Hanshin led 3-0.

Yomiuri also immediately fought back. In the bottom of the seventh inning, Okamoto Kazuma’s solo home run made up a comeback. Hanshin ran away with one point again in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Yomiuri also maintained a two-point difference with Takumi Oshiro’s timely hit in the top of the eighth inning.굿모닝토토

Hanshin, who led 4-2 in the top of the ninth inning with a two-run lead. After Yu Iwasaki took the mound and handled the leadoff hitter Kazuma with an infield fly, Hayato Sakamoto, the second batter, allowed a double that fell off the top of the right fence. However, Hanshin’s victory in the league was confirmed as he finished the game without losing a point.

It is the first time in 18 years that Hanshin has won the Central League since 2005. Now, the next goal is to win the Japanese Series. It was the first and last time Hanshin won the Japanese Series in 1985. It’s already been 37 years.

The most likely opponent is the Orix Buffaloes, a regional rival in the Pacific League. Orix is also close to confirming the championship unless there is an unexpected change. Hanshin, who won an emotional victory, will try to win the Japanese Series for the first time in 38 years.