For the first time in 26 years, the Orix Buffaloes are No. 1 in professional baseball in Japan.

Game 7 of the SMBC Japan Series 2022, which decides the pinnacle of professional baseball, was held at Jingu Stadium, and the Orix Buffaloes defeated the Tokyo Yakult Swallows with 4 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw, becoming the best in Japan. It is the first time in 26 years since 1996 that Orix has achieved the No. 1 ranking in Japan.

Orix Buffaloes 'SMBC Japan Series 2022' Winner ?????????
Thank you for your passionate support for the Pennant Race, Persol CS PA, and SMBC Japan Series until the very end!
# All in Japan ! !
#Thank you to everyone #Bs2022 #Professional baseball #NPB #ORIX pic.twitter.com/vkXEiAPQij

— Orix Buffaloes (@Orix_Buffaloes) October 30, 2022

In the 7th game, Orix entered Japan with three consecutive wins in the 4th, 5th, and 6th games. In the top of the 5th inning, Yakult's pitching and defensive disturbances were used to add 4 more points, making it 5 points behind.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Yakult attacked Orix pitcher Soichiro Yamazaki, who has shown outstanding performance as a middleman so far, and returned four points, closing in on the difference by one point, but the counterattack ended so far. In the bottom of the 9th inning, Orix's pitcher Wagespak suppressed Yakult's batting order to three, making Orix the best in Japan.

It is the first time in 26 years since 1996 that Orix has become the number one in Japan.

In addition, Orix is the third team out of the 12 teams that has been away from being number one in Japan. ).