For two days, the Hiroshima Carp and their fans watched as Yomiuri Giants victories over other teams kept them from clinching a long-awaited Central League title.
Finally, on Saturday night, the Carp were able to take matters into their own hands.
Seiya Suzuki hit his 25th and 26th home runs of the season, veteran starter Hiroki Kuroda, one of the franchise's favorite sons, did his part from the mound and the Carp ended a 25-year drought by rallying from an early deficit to beat the Giants 6-4 at Tokyo Dome to clinch their first CL pennant since 1991.