■MLB Dodgers 7-2 Padres (27th Japan time, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California)

The Dodgers defeated the Padres in a big upset to win their third straight division championship. Shohei Otani (30) won his first regional championship in his seventh year in the major leagues, and was all smiles as he celebrated his first circle of joy.

After enjoying his first champagne fight, he said in the encirclement afterwards, “I came to the stadium feeling like I was really going to make the decision today, and I’m really happy that it turned out that way.”

“Our goal was to win here like this, so it was a very important series in the season, and I think everyone’s enthusiasm for it was higher than in other series. Looking back on the champagne fight, he said, “It was great. It hurt a little, but I did it so much that it won’t affect my future.”

Otani had 3 hits and 1 RBI in 5 at bats, including a game-winning RBI home run in the 7th inning with the score tied at 2-2. Contributed to the come-from-behind victory with two consecutive game-winning hits and multiple hits.

Regarding his seventh at-bat, he said, “I was just thinking about getting a hit, and I was trying to focus on my at-bat first without changing what I was doing in other at-bats,” and it seemed like it was a timely hit. is.

“Obviously we are special, but I think the fans are even more special than anything else, so being able to have that moment at home was really great for both the fans and us.” He was deeply moved by the decision to win the race, saying, “There’s still this season, so I want to do my best,” and expressed his enthusiasm for breaking his own record and winning the WS.