Masahiro Tanaka blew out the candles on his birthday cake in one big breath.
If he can muster up the strength to blow the Yomiuri Giants away one more time, the new 25-year-old will give himself and the Tohoku region a party that won't soon be forgotten.
Tanaka, the recently crowned 2013 Sawamura Award winner who hasn't lost a decision since August of 2012, will make his final start of the year on Saturday in Game 6 of the Japan Series at Kleenex Stadium with the franchise's first-ever title just a win away.