The 2016 Japan Series got off to a wet start, but the Hiroshima Carp and their fans weren't about to let a little rain, or Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters ace Shohei Otani, ruin their fun.

Not when it took 25 years to get here again.

Seiya Suzuki scored on a double steal, Ryuhei Matsuyama and Brad Eldred homered, and left-hander Kris Johnson outdueled Otani to lead the Carp to a 5-1 win over the Fighters in Game 1 on Saturday night at Mazda Stadium.