Tomohito Sakai allowed a run in seven innings, pitching the Chiba Lotte Marines to a 4-1 Pacific League win over the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks on Sunday.
The 25-year-old right-hander located his fastball and flashed good command of his slider and splitter to confound the Hawks' hitters and induce one poor swing after another. Sakai (2-2) allowed five hits and a walk, while striking out six to outduel Hawks starter Rick van den Hurk.
"I went to the mound thinking this was a game we couldn't afford to lose. I think this is the first time this season I've really been able to contribute to the team," said Sakai, the Marines' second draft pick in 2016, who had started the season in the rotation only to be demoted to the minors at the end of April.