Even though the 2021 Japan Series features some of NPB's top rising stars, 41-year-old Tokyo Yakult Swallows pitcher Masanori Ishikawa proved it's not just a young man's game.

Ishikawa leaned on two decades of experience and a sinker batters kept swinging over to throw six solid frames and help the Swallows move to the brink of their first Japan Series title in 20 years with a 2-1 win over the Orix Buffaloes in Game 4 at Tokyo Dome on Wednesday night.

“I’m really, really happy,” Ishikawa said.