△Giants 2-2 DeNA△ (18th, Tokyo Dome)

The Giants managed to pull away from the powerful DeNA team in a draw, illuminating the magic number of nine to win the championship for the first time this season.

The stubborn tie-breaking play and the perseverance of the relief pitchers were symbolic of this season’s performance.

With the score at 1-1 in the eighth inning, third pitcher Baldonado lost control and allowed the other team to take the lead on a forced walk. With two outs and the bases loaded, relief pitcher Funasako Taiga struck out the batter, escaping the pinch. Immediately after in the eighth inning, with runners on first and second and no outs, Okoye Rui made a perfect bunt to the third base side, putting runners on second and third with one out. Next, Kishida Yukinori hit a grounder to second base, and third base runner Okamoto Kazuma got off to a good start. He slid headfirst into home plate to tie the game.

After that, the bullpen, led by closer Ose, held out until the 12th inning of extra innings.

Manager Shinnosuke Abe skipped the usual post-game interview and held an emergency meeting instead. The team is not getting carried away with the magic number, but is taking things one step at a time.[Kishimoto Yu]