NISHINOMIYA, Hyogo Pref. — The ball was working its way out of Hayato Sakamoto's glove in the eighth inning as a bases-loaded jam was about to turn into a full-on disaster.
Sakamoto didn't let it slip away, and neither did the Yomiuri Giants.
Sakamoto homered, Michihiro Ogasawara drove in a pair of runs and the Yomiuri bullpen held on late as the Giants edged the Hanshin Tigers 3-1 in Game 1 of the first stage of the Central League Climax Series on Saturday at Koshien Stadium.