NAGOYA — It was almost the perfect ending to 53 years of heartbreak.
Chunichi Dragons starter Daisuke Yamai delivers a pitch against the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters during his perfect eight-inning performance while Hitoki Iwase (below) jumps for joy after his perfect ninth-inning relief effort in Game 5 of the Japan Series on Thursday at Nagoya Dome. The Dragons won 1-0 to clinch the Japan Series 4-1.
KYODO PHOTO
Chunichi Dragons starter Daisuke Yamai threw eight perfect innings, before being relieved by Hitoki Iwase in the ninth, and the Dragons overcame a strong day from Yu Darvish to win the Japan Series title with a 1-0 victory over the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters on Thursday at Nagoya Dome.
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