The Yokohama BayStars wasted a golden opportunity to close the gap in the race for the Central League's second postseason seed in Wednesday's 4-4 tie with the Hanshin Tigers.
BayStars closer Yasuaki Yamasaki blew a one-run, ninth inning lead when Yoshio Itoi singled in a run with one out. The right-hander, however, pitched out of a bases-loaded jam, and the game was declared a tie after 12 innings.
"We didn't need a tie game. It could have been worse, but it doesn't benefit us. Tomorrow's another day," BayStars manager Alex Ramirez said.