Kentarō Taira Shuts Out Hanshin as BayStars Level Climax Series

Kentarō Taira threw 5⅔ scoreless innings and the Yokohama DeNA BayStars beat the Hanshin Tigers 2-0 at Koshien Stadium on Wednesday, October 14, pulling the Central League Climax Series Final Stage level at one win apiece.

Hanshin entered the best-of-six series with an automatic one-win advantage as the Central League pennant winner. DeNA erased it immediately, winning its third consecutive postseason game without trailing and turning the final stage into a race to three wins.

Taira controls Hanshin at Koshien

Taira allowed three hits, struck out six and walked two across 88 pitches. The right-hander worked carefully on both edges of the plate and prevented Hanshin’s middle of the order from producing a hit.

His biggest test came in the sixth. With two outs, Yusuke Oyama doubled and brought the tying run to the plate. Manager Ryoji Aikawa turned to Masaki Iwata, who ended the inning and preserved the lead.

Daiki Ise, Masumi Hamachi and Scott Reynolds handled the final three innings. Hanshin collected seven hits overall and put two runners aboard in both the seventh and ninth, but DeNA’s five-pitcher shutout held.

Taira earned his first career Climax Series victory. He has been especially effective against Hanshin this season, posting a 1.91 ERA in five appearances and a 1.65 ERA at Koshien.

Miyazaki and Sano supply the runs

DeNA scored before Hanshin starter Shoki Murakami could settle in. Toshiro Miyazaki delivered an RBI single in the first inning, giving Taira a lead before he took the mound.

The BayStars managed only three hits, but two produced runs. Keita Sano opened the sixth with a solo home run, his first of the postseason, to double the advantage.

Murakami took the loss despite limiting DeNA’s opportunities. The Tigers were unable to answer, leaving the tying runs in scoring position against Reynolds in the ninth.

Series advantage disappears

DeNA’s victory carried extra weight because the Final Stage gives Hanshin a one-win head start. One shutout was enough to cancel that advantage and leave the teams tied 1-1 heading into Game 2 on Thursday at Koshien.

The BayStars have now won three straight postseason games after sweeping the Yomiuri Giants in the First Stage. In each victory they scored first and never surrendered the lead.