Shohei Ohtani's hometown waits another day for superstar's first World Series title

 A small group of about 60 fans gathered Wednesday morning for a watch party at the city hall in Shohei Ohtani's hometown in northern Japan.

They came dressed mostly in blue, the interlocking LA on their caps, to celebrate a World Series title for Ohtani, the Dodgers and this rural community.

They left disappointed.

The Yankees defeated the Dodgers 11-4, but there was no loss of confidence in Oshu City, located about 300 miles (500 kilometers) north of Tokyo.

Fans predicted their local superstar and the Dodgers — he played Little League and high school baseball here — would rally and clinch the series in Game 5. The Dodgers lead 3-1 and are still strong favorites in the best-of-seven series.

The fans made racket with their thundersticks for a minute in the seventh with Ohtani batting and the Dodgers trailing 6-4. The plastic noisemakers even carried an encouraging message on the side: “The Pride of Oshu City.”

It didn't help. Ohtani struck out and the noise stopped, typifying the morning.