YOKOHAMA -- The Yokohama BayStars began the post-Kazuhiro Sasaki era with a bang on Friday night, opening the 2000 season with a 7-6 victory over the Hanshin Tigers in 11 innings before a capacity crowd of 30,000 at Yokohama Stadium.
Tatsuya Shindo stroked the game-winning hit off Hanshin reliever Minoru Kasai after Yokohama had loaded the bases on a single by Bobby Rose, an intentional walk to Norihiro Komada and Takahiro Saeki reaching safely on a fielder's choice.
Shindo's shot into center field brought Rose home and sent the Yokohama fans home happy. Rose, back for his eighth season in Japan, had three of the BayStars' 17 hits -- including two doubles -- and reached base safely four times.