With one out between him and a complete-game victory, Yoshihisa Naruse finally cracked. Unfortunately for the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, it was too little, too late.
Naruse surrendered a two-run home run in the ninth, a blemish on an otherwise solid outing, and his offense backed him up in a big way as the Chiba Lotte Marines held off the suddenly slumping Fighters 5-3 on Tuesday in front of 29,793 fans at QVC Marine Field.
Naruse (10-9) went the distance, allowing three runs on six hits and striking out six. Just the way they drew it up, according to manager Norifumi Nishimura.