Sports · Baseball · 2 hrs ago
DeNA reach Japan Series after six straight playoff wins
DeNA beat Hanshin 8-5 in the fourth game of the Central League playoff final at Koshien Stadium.
The win completed a six-game winning streak from the first playoff round and sent DeNA to the Japan Series for the first time in two years.
DeNA finished the regular season in third place, making their run to the final a climb from outside the top two.
They fell behind in the ninth inning, but Daiki Mimori hit a two-run go-ahead single with two outs to turn the game around.
DeNA manager Ryōji Aikawa said he believes there is no gap between the teams they are about to face.
Their opponent, SoftBank, reached the Japan Series after winning three straight games against Nippon Ham.
The Japan Series is the next step for DeNA, who will try to turn their playoff form into a championship.
DeNA beat Hanshin 8-5 in Game 4 of the Central League Climax Series final stage to reach the Japan Series.
The win completed four straight victories over Hanshin and gave DeNA six consecutive playoff wins, an achievement described as a first in Japanese professional baseball.
DeNA advanced from third place in the regular season and will face SoftBank in the Japan Series.
Daiki Mimori hit a two-run single with two outs in the ninth inning to put DeNA ahead.
Manager Ryoji Aikawa said DeNA had the ability to compete with SoftBank.
- Who
- DeNA and Hanshin played the game. DeNA will face SoftBank in the Japan Series.
- What
- DeNA won 8-5 to secure a place in the Japan Series.
- When
- October 17, 2026.
- Where
- Koshien Stadium.
- Why
- The victory gave DeNA four straight wins over Hanshin in the final stage and secured its Japan Series place.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
DeNA won two straight games against the Yomiuri Giants to advance.
DeNA won its first three final-stage games against Hanshin, all by shutout.
DeNA beat Hanshin 8-5 in Game 4 and advanced to the Japan Series.
- Final score
- DeNA 8, Hanshin 5
- Playoff winning streak
- Six consecutive wins
- Japan Series return
- First appearance in two years
- Winning hit
- Daiki Mimori's two-run single in the ninth
- Japan Series opponent
- SoftBank
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What people are saying
I always think there is no gap between us.
We have not achieved anything yet, so we feel we still have more to do.