The Yokohama BayStars moved to within one win of their first Japan Series berth in 19 years with a 4-3 win over the Hiroshima Carp on Monday in the final stage of the Central League Climax Series.
In a game that was postponed for two days due to rain at Mazda Stadium, Joe Wieland worked five-plus innings, while reaching base three times, scoring a run and earning the win for the BayStars.
Wieland allowed three runs in the first, and after he ran into trouble, the BayStars bullpen, including a two-inning cameo from starting pitcher Shota Imanaga, slammed the door. The win gave the BayStars a 3-2 lead in the six-game final stage. As league champs, the Carp began with a one-win advantage, and won the opener 3-0, but have lost three straight since.