Hayato Sakamoto hit a walk-off RBI single as the Yomiuri Giants swept the three-game home stand against the first-place Hanshin Tigers with a 2-1 victory Thursday.
With one out and the bases loaded in the ninth inning at Tokyo Dome, Sakamoto's base hit off Hanshin closer Oh Seung-hwan won it for the Giants, who closed within half a game of the Central League lead.
"The manager and the pitching coach sent me out there believing in me," Oh said. "I feel terrible for not being able to finish the job."