Tadashi Settsu overcame a dicey first inning to last seven frames and pick up the victory as the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks defeated the Pacific League-leading Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles 9-2 on Saturday afternoon.
Settsu (14-5) surrendered a home run to light-hitting Takero Okajima on the game's first pitch. After his fielders ended the first inning by throwing out a runner at the plate, Settsu settled down and retired the next 15 batters he faced.
The right-hander gave up two runs on five hits and a walk, while striking out seven. He improved to 9-0 against the Eagles in his last nine starts against them.