"Was that a third strike?" walk-off Referring to the losing scene｜Pacific League.com｜Professional baseball

[Pacific League CS] Nippon-Ham Ham Fighters manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo comments on the scene of walk-off loss: “Was that a grounder to third base?”

Sports Hochi

2025.10.15(水) 21:45

延長１０回、選手交代を告げにベンチを出る日本ハム・新庄剛志監督（カメラ・豊田　秀一）

2025 Persol Climax Series Pacific Final Stage Game 1: Softbank 2x-1 Nippon-Ham = 10 extra inning = (15th, Mizuho PayPay Dome)

League champion Softbank defeated second-place Nippon-Ham Fighters in a 10th-inning walk walk-off extra inning. With a one-win advantage, they were now 2-0. With the score tied in the 10th inning and bases loaded loaded with one out, infielder Hotaka Yamakawa (33) hit a single to left field to decide the game. Nippon-Ham Fighters sent the game into extra innings with a solo home run by Reyes in the eighth inning to extra inning, but repeated missed opportunities early on meant they needed four wins from a maximum of five games remaining to advance to the Japan Series.

After the game, manager Shinjo praised him, saying, “He did a great job.” In the 10th extra inning, with one out bases loaded, Kanemura was replaced by Tamai. Yamakawa hit the first pitch. The ball was a bit slow, but it bounced over third baseman ‘s head, becoming walk-off hit. “It was unlucky at the end. Was that a grounder to third base?” he said.