Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks hold off resilient Yokohama DeNA Baystars to win Game 1 of NPB Japan Series

The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks held off the Yokohama DeNA Baystars to take Game 1 of the NPB's Japan Series. Leading by five runs heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, the Hawks were on cruise control before the BayStars refused to go down without a fight at home.

Interestingly, as the game was hosted by the Central League's BayStars, pitchers were still forced to hit as the CL remains the only league in the world that implements this rule.

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks starting pitcher Kohei Arihara opened the scoring with a two-run single with bases loaded in the second inning.

"SoftBank takes the lead in the 2nd on a 2-run single by pitcher Kohei Arihara" -@Yakyu Cosmopolitan

It was just the 21st plate appearance of Arihara's career, with the two RBIs being his first and second. No runs were scored again until the ninth inning.

With a runner in scoring position and at first base, Kenta Inamiya broke the game wide open for the Hawks with a two-run double in the top of the ninth inning. Heading into the final half inning, Fukuoka held a commanding 5-0 lead.

Former American League saves leader Roberto Osuna was then called upon by the flying Hawks. Unfortunately, he was peppered with hits courtesy of Takaki Kijawara, Keito Mori and Masashi Kuwahara as the BayStars tried to salvage the game.

However, that would be all that Yokohama could muster at home as the game ended 5-3. SoftBank starter Kohei Arihara produced on both sides of the ball as he had a seven-inning output of no-run ball with four hits, two walks and four strikeouts in addition to his two-RBI single.

Meanwhile, his opposite number Andre Jackson made history for the home squad. The former LA Dodger tied the BayStars record of five consecutive strikeouts in a Japan Series game that was held by Choji Murata and Hiroki Makihara. Jackson was pulled after 4 2/3 innings after giving up two runs on three hits, with five walks and nine strikeouts.

Fukuoka SoftBanks Hawks extend Japan Series streak to 13

The last time the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks dropped a game in the Japan Series, Shohei Ohtani was an Angel, Freddie Freeman was a Brave and Tom Brady was still playing in the NFL. With the win against the BayStars, Fukuoka extended their win streak to 13.

NPB's modern-day goliaths won an absurd 91 games in the regular season, and have seven Japan Series appearances in the past 11 seasons. Before 2023, their last appearance was in 2020 when they swept the Yomiuri Giants. The last time the team was defeated in Japan's biggest series was in Game 2 against Seiya Suzuki's Hiroshima Toyo Carp in 2018.