TOKOROZAWA, Saitama Pref. — Like on the previous day, the Fighters got on board early. This time, Seibu rallied, but the experienced and ingenious defending Pacific League champions remained unruffled and uncannily added insurance runs late.
Hokkaido Nippon Ham starting southpaw Masaru Takeda showed off discreet work behind his teammates' timely run support as they sank the Lions 7-4 in Game 3 of the second stage of the PL Climax Series on Sunday afternoon at Seibu Dome.
"We'll keep on fighting as if we are still one win behind (the Lions), because they are a team above us," manager Masataka Nashida said of his Fighters, who are now tied at 2 in the series with Seibu, the No. 1 seed in the PLCS by virtue of its regular-season title.