Underdog Yokohama DeNA BayStars shutout juggernaut Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, even up NPB Japan Series at 2-2

After being down 0-2, the Yokohama DeNA BayStars have tied the NPB Japan Series after shutting out the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks on the road. The BayStars continue their Cinderella run with a 5-0 victory in Game 4.

Starter Anthony Kay played a starring role in the shutout against the SoftBank Hawks' high-octane offense. Dubbed in NPB as "Big Game Kay," the former Toronto Blue Jay pitched seven innings of no-run ball with four base hits, one walk, seven strikeouts and 15 whiffs.

"Anthony Kay was in complete control for Game 4 of the Japan Series! 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 102 P, 15 Whiffs. He’s a big game pitcher" - @ Yakyu Cosmopolitan

First baseman and former Yankee Tyler Austin opened the scoring for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars with a solo shot in the top of the fourth inning. Just like star first baseman Freddie Freeman in the MLB World Series, Austin is helping his club on the field while simultaneously dealing with an injury.

In the top of the seventh inning, Toshiro Miyazaki hit a solo bomb. Masayuki Kuwahara, Game 3 hero, scored two more runs a few moments later with a double. Austin would add to Yokohama's scoring outburst with another RBI single, bringing the score to 5-0.

The game ended with the aforementioned scoreline as the Yokohama DeNA BayStars won their second-consecutive game in the 2024 Japan Series away from home.

Yokohama DeNA BayStars hand Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks consecutive Japan Series losses for the first time since 2017

After putting a halt to the 14-game win streak of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, the Yokohama DeNA BayStars now dealt the former with their first back-to-back losses since 2017.

Ironically enough, it was the same club that dealt them the losses. The 2017 BayStars, which featured Shota Imanaga and Yoshi Tsutsugo, defeated the Hawks in Games 4 and 5 of that year's Japan Series. However, the series ultimately ended 4-2 in favor of the Hawks, as they won the first of their four consecutive titles to close out the 2010s.