The Chiba Lotte Mariners have won the 2010 Japan Series. They defeated the Chunichi Dragons 8-7 in twelve innings in the decisive game seven of the 61st edition of the Nippon Series on Sunday to clinch the title. They are the first third-place game to win the championship. Toshiaki Imae was named MVP after going 12-for-27 with six RBI in the series.
The series went to seven games after both teams settle for a 2-2 tie after 15 innings in game six. If the Dragons would have won game seven, the Japan Series would have gone to eight games for the first time since 24 years.
Chunichi had won the pennant in the Central League and beat the Yomiuri Giants to reach the finals. Chiba Lotte edged out the Saitama Seibu Lions in the Climax Series of the Pacific League and beat Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks on their way to the Japan Series.
Results 2010 Japan Series:
Chunichi Dragons – Chiba Lotte Marines 2-5
Chunichi Dragons – Chiba Lotte Marines 12-1
Chiba Lotte Marines – Chunichi Dragons 7-1
Chiba Lotte Marines – Chunichi Dragons 3-4 (11)
Chiba Lotte Marines – Chunichi Dragons 10-4
Chunichi Dragons – Chiba Lotte Marines 2-2 (15)
Chunichi Dragons – Chiba Lotte Marines 7-8 (12)