Giants Lose to Tigers, Win Pennant

It took five hours and two minutes for the Tigers to defeat the Giants at a packed Koshien Stadium, but they finally did it on a one out, bases loaded wild pitch in the bottom of the 12th. The Tigers fans got to sing their song at the end of the game. It looks like the Tigers won the pennant from the jubilation on the Hanshin side of the stadium.

But a few hours earlier, Yakult lost to Chunchi, clinching the Central League pennant for the Giants. Giants fans are holding up victory banners, but not really feeling the festivity of winning it.

And now that the Hanshin fans are done with their victory songs, the Giants are coming out on the field to go through the motion of throwing their manager into the air in victory. They first wave to the fans on the third base side and stop in front of the left field bleachers to bow and thank their fans. The players look happy enough as they get confetti thrown on them from the Giants' half of the stadium and take pictures of themselves with team mates with digital cameras. Now to the infield, and the Giants throw Hara-kantoku up once, twice, ... too many times.

Giants and Hanshin fans alike are enjoying the scene. One of the few times that it looks like both sets can go home happy.

Well, there's no more "if" for the Nihon Series schedule listed here.