Nobuhiko Matsunaka opened the scoring with a two-run triple and Nagisa Arakaki pitched eight solid innings Wednesday, helping the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks snap a five-game winless streak with a 4-1 victory over the Chiba Lotte Marines.
 |
| Fukuoka Softbank Hawks hurler Nagisa Arakaki pitches against the Chiba Lotte Marines at Chiba Marine Stadium. |
Matsunaka tripled to drive in two runs and scored on an RBI double by Julio Zuleta in a three-run first inning, while Arakaki (3-0) allowed just one run and four hits in eight innings with six strikeouts and no walks to win his third straight start in the Pacific League.
Takahiro Mahara worked a perfect ninth for his fourth save. Zuleta added a solo shot to pad the lead in the ninth at Chiba Marine Stadium.