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

After dropping the first two games at home, the BayStars needed to get in the win column or face the prospect of a Japan Series sweep.

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Yokohama DeNA BayStars starter Katsuki Azuma pitches in the first inning against a Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks batter in Game 3 of the Japan Series on October 29, 2024, at Mizuho PayPay Dome in Fukuoka. (©KYODO)

Read the full story on SportsLook - Masayuki Kuwahara, Katsuki Azuma Come Up Big for BayStars in Must-Win Game 3 of Japan Series

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.

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.

Hawks starter Carter Stewart Jr fires a pitch in the first inning. (©SANKEI)

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.

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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.

Continue reading the full story on SportsLook.

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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.

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