Yoshitomo Tsutsugo's Two Dominant Home Runs Propel BayStars to Victory in Climax Series Opener

On October 11, 2025, Yoshitomo Tsutsugo of the Yokohama DeNA BayStars delivered a stunning performance, hitting two home runs to lead his team to a decisive victory in Game 1 of the JERA Climax Series Central League First Stage. His solo home run in the bottom of the 6th inning, which directly hit the left-field foul pole, became a major topic of conversation, with "ポール直撃" (Pole Shot) trending on social media.

Tsutsugo first put the team on the board in the bottom of the 2nd inning with a powerful solo shot over the right field wall off Giants starter Iori Yamasaki. Then, with a three-run lead in the bottom of the 6th, he once again faced Yamasaki and launched a high fly ball towards left field that struck the left-field foul pole for another solo home run. This second blast of the day extended the lead and sent the fans, who had dyed Yokohama Stadium 360 degrees in "BayStars Blue," into a frenzy.

This "pole shot" captivated many fans with its dramatic sound and visual impact. Social media was flooded with excited comments such as, "Seriously?! A direct hit on the pole is insane!", "A direct hit on the left-field pole is just ridiculous!", "Tsutsugo is a god, I'm soaring!!!!", and "Watching it live, time stopped for a moment." It was widely discussed as a game-changing hit. Some fans also recalled the auditory memory, saying, "The moment that 'clang!' echoed through Yokohama Stadium, everything changed."

While some viewers pointed out discrepancies between the Hawk-Eye data from the broadcast and the actual landing spot of the ball, Tsutsugo himself commented that he was "only thinking about hitting a strong ball with impact." Tsutsugo's rampage on this day included four hits and three RBIs, significantly contributing to his team's commanding win. The DeNA BayStars are now one win away from advancing past the First Stage, raising hopes for a potential Japan Series championship following last year's performance.

The Context

For non-Japanese readers, here's some background information to help understand the article:

• JERA Climax Series: This is the postseason tournament for Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), Japan's top professional baseball league. It determines which teams will compete in the Japan Series, the championship series. It consists of two leagues, the Central League and the Pacific League.
• Central League First Stage: This is the initial round of the Climax Series for the Central League. The second-place team plays the third-place team in a best-of-three series. The winner advances to the Final Stage to play the league champion.
• Yokohama DeNA BayStars: A professional baseball team based in Yokohama, Japan, playing in the Central League of NPB. They are known for their passionate fan base and distinctive blue team colors.
• Yoshitomo Tsutsugo: A prominent Japanese professional baseball player. He is a powerful left-handed slugger who played for the BayStars for many years before moving to Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States. He returned to the BayStars in 2024, much to the delight of the fans.
• Japan Series: The final championship series of Nippon Professional Baseball, where the champions of the Central League and Pacific League compete for the title of "Japan's Best."
• "Pole Shot" (ポール直撃): In baseball, a "pole shot" refers to a batted ball that directly hits the foul pole in fair territory. It is immediately ruled a home run, often considered a dramatic and definitive hit due to its close proximity to the foul line.