Hiroshima Carp right-hander Hiroki Kuroda gave a phenomenal performance in what could be the final outing of his storied professional career in Tuesday's Game 3 of the Japan Series against the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters at Sapporo Dome.

The 41-year-old went 5⅔ innings, allowing four hits and one run in 85 pitches in Hiroshima's 4-3 loss to the Fighters, with fans clad in red replica Carp jerseys and caps flying miles from their Hiroshima homes to support him.

Kuroda said afterward that it was just like any other game he pitched in his 20-year career, insisting that he has always played "as if it's my last game."