OSHU CITY, Japan (AP) — A small group of about 60 fans gathered Wednesday morning for a viewing party at OSHU City Hall. Shohei Ohtani’s hometown in northern Japan.

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

They left disappointed.

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

“I would have liked the Dodgers to win all four games, but I didn’t mind losing one,” fan Yoshiyuki Kosaka said. “The Dodgers still have the lead and I want them to win the World Series title tomorrow.”

Fans predicted that their hometown superstar and the Dodgers (he played minor league and high school baseball here) would bounce back and win the series in Game 5. The Dodgers lead 3-1 and remain heavy favorites in the series best of seven.

“The Dodgers were in good spirits yesterday and I was hoping they would keep the momentum going and win today,” said another fan, Yoko Chiba. “But it didn’t end up with the result I expected.”

The fans rattled their thunder sticks for a minute in the seventh with Ohtani batting and the Dodgers trailing 6-4. The plastic noisemakers even bore an encouraging message on the side: “The pride of the city of Oshu.”

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

Oshu Mayor Jun Kuranari offered confidence in Ohtani.

“Together with our local population, I hope Ohtani, who is from here, hits a spectacular home run tomorrow,” he said.

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