Katsuya Kakunaka hit a tiebreaking single with two outs in the sixth inning as the surging Chiba Lotte Marines went on to beat the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks 3-2 on Sunday.
Kazuya Fukuura and Shoitsu Omatsu had RBI doubles down the right-field line in the second before Softbank designated-hitter Wily Mo Pena hit a two-run homer to tie the game in the fifth. Kakunaka then singled to center to drive home Toshiaki Imae from second, giving Lotte the lead for good at QVC Marine Field.
"I got a good swing on the pitch," said Kakunaka, who was the hero for the second day in a row after hitting a walkoff sacrifice fly in the 11th inning in Saturday's game.