The Hanshin Tigers advanced to the final stage of the Central League playoffs on Sunday thanks to a 0-0 tie with the Hiroshima Carp in Game 2 of the Central League Climax Series first stage.
Nippon Professional Baseball's rules limit Climax Series games to 12 innings and award any series that is tied to the higher-seeded team. The Tigers were therefore declared the winner of the best-of-three series on the strength of one win and one tie.
The Carp, who swept Hanshin in two games here last year, were held scoreless in 21 innings, including their 1-0 Game 1 loss on Saturday. The Tigers will take on the Yomiuri Giants at Tokyo Dome in a best-of-seven final stage that gives the Giants a one-win advantage and allows Yomiuri to advance should that series end in a tie.