CHIBA — A stiff neck kept Tsuyoshi Nishioka from starting in the Chiba Lotte Marines' game against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.

He was pretty limber by the end of the game.

Toshiaki Imae hit a "sayonara" sacrifice fly as Nishioka evaded the tag at the plate, giving the Marines a 4-3 victory on Saturday at Chiba Marine Stadium.