More than 25,000 roared in unison as a light rain suddenly got a little bit harder. They were now one out away from their first Japan Series title, and had their ace, Japan's ace, on the mound to do the honors.
The ninth inning of Game 7 belonged to Masahiro Tanaka. The moment belonged to all of Tohoku.
One day after throwing 160 pitches in a complete-game loss, Tanaka recorded the final three outs of the Japan Series, and Tohoku finally got a chance to celebrate as their Eagles held off the defending champion Yomiuri Giants 3-0 in Game 7 on Sunday in Kleenex Stadium.