SAPPORO -- Messing this one up will be pretty tough.
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| Hokkaido Nippon Ham hurler Yu Darvish reacts after striking out the final batter of the game as the Fighters downed the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks 3-1 in Game 1 of the Pacific League second-stage playoffs at Sapporo Dome. KYODO PHOTO |
Already spotted a game in the second-stage Pacific League playoffs, the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters rode Yu Darvish's brilliant complete game and airtight defense, beating the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks 3-1 on Wednesday at Sapporo Dome.