The Central League champions wrapped up their prolific season with bang on Sunday, pinch hitter Kenji Yano hitting a game-ending home run to lift the Yomiuri Giants to a 10-inning, 2-1 victory over the last-place Yokohama BayStars on Sunday afternoon at Tokyo Dome.
The Giants, who went 2-5 with one tie in the eight games after clinching the CL pennant on Sept. 21, turned things around against the BayStars. Yano had the last word with his drive into the visiting fans section in left on a first-pitch fastball from reliever Hitoshi Fujie (3-5) to complete a three-game sweep.
The Giants will host the Climax Series first-stage winner in the final stage, beginning at Tokyo Dome on Oct. 17.