The Yomiuri Giants clinched their first Central League pennant in two seasons and their 39th overall, but it tasted rather bitter than sweet because they suffered a "sayonara loss" to the Hanshin Tigers 3-2 after 12 innings Tuesday at Koshien Stadium.
In the bottom of the 12th inning, Yomiuri reliever Yukinaga Maeda threw a wild pitch with the bases loaded and gave up the winning run to the hosts.
Despite the defeat, the Giants captured the title because second place Yakult Swallows lost to the Chunichi Dragons 9-4 earlier on Tuesday at the Nagoya Dome.