DeNA beat Hanshin 1-0 for second straight shutout in playoff series

The Yokohama DeNA BayStars beat the Hanshin Tigers 1-0 in the Central League playoff final stage at Koshien on October 15.

DeNA, who finished third in the regular season, have now won four straight playoff games and recorded two consecutive shutouts.

The only run came in the eighth inning, when DeNA’s Shugo Maki hit a solo home run off Hanshin starter Haruto Takahashi.

DeNA used seven pitchers to keep Hanshin scoreless, with starter Ogata working four innings before six relievers took over.

Hanshin had a chance to win in the ninth, but could not score after advancing runners to second and third; key hitters Teruaki Sato was absent and Shota Morishita left the game during play.

The loss leaves Hanshin’s offense under pressure, while DeNA’s pitching has carried the team through a tight series.

DeNA’s manager said the team would focus on winning one game at a time, and DeNA are two wins from reaching the Japan Series, according to one account; another gives a different series tally.