Masayuki Kuwahara, Katsuki Azuma Come Up Big for BayStars in Must-Win Game 3 of Japan Series

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Masayuki Kuwahara hit a solo homer on Tuesday, October 29 and Katsuki Azuma went seven strong innings as the Yokohama DeNA BayStars beat the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks 4-1 in Game 3 of the Japan Series.

After SoftBank won the first two games in Yokohama, the BayStars were desperate for a win to avoid a possible sweep in Game 4 on Wednesday.

Kuwahara gave his team a 1-0 lead in the first inning at Mizuho PayPay Dome when he doubled off SoftBank starter Carter Stewart Jr, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and then scored on a groundout.

Japan Series — *BayStars leadoff hitter Masayuki Kuwahara smacks a double in the first inning. (©SANKEI)*

"Kuwahara set the pace for us in this game," said Yokohama manager Daisuke Miura. "It was a game we really needed to win."

But SoftBank quickly got the run back in the bottom of the frame on a double by Kensuke Kondoh that scored Yuki Yanagita from second.

After four innings, SoftBank manager Hiroki Kokubo took out Stewart, who gave up one run on three hits while striking out four and walking three batters.

It was a move Kokubo may have regretted.

In the fifth inning, Kuwahara greeted SoftBank reliever Ryosuke Ohtsu with a solo homer to left on the very first pitch he saw to make it 2-1.

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Author: Jim Armstrong

The author is a longtime journalist who has covered sports in Japan for over 25 years. You can find his articles on SportsLook.