Shota Takeda won a scintillating pitcher's duel on Sunday to help the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks beat the Orix Buffaloes 1-0 and avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of their nearest rivals for the Pacific League pennant.
The 21-year-old Takeda (2-0) allowed five hits, three walks and hit a batter in seven scoreless innings. He struck out seven and won a well-pitched game between right-handers with good fastballs and excellent breaking pitches.
The win before 31,106 at Kyocera Dome, moved the first-place Hawks three games clear of the second-place Buffaloes, who had plenty of chances but couldn't get past Takeda or relievers Ryota Igarashi and Dennis Sarfate, who recorded his 31st save. The loss snapped the Buffaloes' six-game winning streak.