Gota Suzuki Steadies Hawks in Five-Run Comeback Win
Gota Suzuki threw 1⅓ perfect innings as the SoftBank Hawks scored five in the fourth to beat the Fighters 6-4 in the NPB Climax Series.
World Baseball News Editorial Team , 2 min read 
Rookie Gota Suzuki delivered 1⅓ perfect relief innings before the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks erupted for five runs in the fourth, rallying past the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters 6-4 in Game 1 of the Pacific League Climax Series Final Stage on Wednesday, October 14.
The comeback gave SoftBank a 3-0 series lead when combined with the two-win advantage awarded to the Pacific League champion. The Hawks now need two more victories to reach the Japan Series.
Suzuki stops the damage after Moinelo’s early exit
SoftBank scored first on Taisei Makihara’s RBI single in the opening inning, but Nippon-Ham answered against Liván Moinelo. Shu Yamagata drove in the tying run in the second before Leo Shibata’s sacrifice fly and a bases-loaded walk put the Fighters ahead 3-1 in the third.
Moinelo departed with two outs in the inning after allowing six hits, three runs, three walks and a hit batter over 2⅔ innings. Suzuki, SoftBank’s third-round draft pick, entered with the bases loaded and ended the threat before retiring the side in order in the fourth.
The 22-year-old needed only 13 pitches to record four outs. He did not allow a baserunner and earned the victory in his first Climax Series appearance.
Hawks turn two errors into a five-run inning
SoftBank’s offense seized control in the bottom of the fourth. Ryoya Kurihara singled, Makihara was hit by a pitch and Yusuke Yamamoto’s sacrifice bunt helped create a bases-loaded opportunity.
A throwing error by first baseman Leo Shibata allowed one run to score. Yudai Shoji then tied the game with an RBI single before left fielder Yuya Gunji dropped Seiji Masaki’s fly ball, producing the go-ahead run.
Ukyo Shuto added a sacrifice fly and Kensuke Kondo capped the inning with an RBI double to left-center, his second double of the night. SoftBank sent 10 batters to the plate and turned a 3-1 deficit into a 6-3 lead.
Gunji pulled Nippon-Ham within two with a solo home run off Roberto Osuna in the seventh, but Yuki Matsumoto handled the eighth and Kazuki Sugiyama closed the game for the save.
The Fighters collected 11 hits to SoftBank’s eight, but their two fourth-inning errors proved decisive. The Hawks’ bullpen allowed one run over 6⅓ innings after Moinelo’s departure.
Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday, October 15, at Mizuho PayPay Dome. SoftBank will again host every game in the Final Stage.
