The final out in Game 2 of the Japan Series invoked neither the thrill of victory nor the agony of defeat after five hours at Jingu Stadium on Sunday night.
A 3-3 tie between the Tokyo Yakult Swallows and Orix Buffaloes left both sides in a weird state of emotional purgatory — pleased to have avoided a loss, yet disappointed to have fallen short of the win. The Buffaloes were in the field for the bottom of the 12th and formed a handshake line like they would after a win. The Swallows carefully packed their things into backpacks and trudged back to their clubhouse.
The fans in the stands seemed to clap almost out of reflex, unsure whether to celebrate the result or lament the myriad missed chances of the previous few hours.