Daiki Mimori Sparks Ninth-Inning Rally as BayStars Reach Japan Series
Daiki Mimori’s two-run single capped a four-run ninth as the BayStars beat Hanshin 8-5 and advanced to the 2026 Japan Series.
World Baseball News Editorial Team , 1 min read 
The Yokohama DeNA BayStars are headed to the 2026 Japan Series after scoring four runs with two outs in the ninth inning to stun the Hanshin Tigers 8-5 on Saturday, October 17, at Koshien Stadium. Daiki Mimori delivered the decisive two-run single as DeNA completed the Central League Climax Series Final Stage with four wins against Hanshin’s one-win advantage.
The comeback sends the BayStars into a Japan Series matchup with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, who clinched the Pacific League berth a day earlier.
Mimori turns the series in the ninth
DeNA entered the ninth trailing 5-4 after Hanshin had erased an early deficit. Shion Matsuo drew a one-out walk and Ryuki Watarai followed with an infield single. Hanshin recorded the second out at the plate on Shugo Maki’s ground ball, but the runners advanced to second and third.
Mimori then fell behind 0-2 before lining a two-run single to center for a 6-5 lead. Tomoya Inoue and Takuma Hayashi added RBI singles, giving the BayStars two insurance runs before the inning ended.
Sean Reynolds loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth but preserved the lead, striking out Teruaki Sato, Nozomu Takadera and Seiya Kinami to finish the clincher. Kosuke Baba earned the win, Reynolds recorded his third save of the postseason and Taisei Kudo took the loss.
BayStars survive Hanshin’s comeback
Rookie shortstop Shuto Naruse put DeNA ahead 3-1 with a two-run homer in the fourth inning. Hanshin answered behind Shota Morishita, who homered in both the fifth and seventh. Morishita’s second shot broke a 3-3 tie, and Torai Fushimi’s sacrifice fly stretched the Tigers’ lead to 5-3.
Toshiro Miyazaki cut the deficit to one with an RBI single in the eighth, keeping DeNA close enough for the ninth-inning surge.
The BayStars finished with 12 hits and won the Final Stage despite Hanshin collecting 14. After sweeping the Yomiuri Giants in the First Stage, DeNA has now eliminated both of the Central League’s top two regular-season clubs to claim the league’s place in the Japan Series.
