Yuichi Honda singled in two runs in a four-run seventh inning as the Softbank Hawks rallied to beat the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters 6-3 on Monday and extend their Pacific League lead to five games.
Honda's bases-loaded single to right turned a 3-2 deficit into a 4-3 lead for the Hawks in the opener of a three-game series between the top two teams at Sapporo Dome.
The speedy second baseman went 3-for-4 on the night.
"I wanted to come through any way I could in that situation," Honda said. "Against a good relief pitcher (Naoki Miyanishi), I raised my concentration and went aggressive."