Yuki Karakawa worked seven innings and two relievers completed a seven-hit shutout as the Chiba Lotte Marines knocked off the Pacific League-leading Fukuoka Softbank Hawks 1-0 on Sunday.
Before 37,890 at Yafuoku Dome, Karakawa (3-9) gave up four hits and a walk, while hitting a batter and striking out three. He went to the mound in the first inning with a one-run lead thanks to Alfredo Despaigne's RBI double in the top of the inning. Despaigne's three doubles represented half of the Marines' hit total.
Hawks rookie Yuya Iida (2-5) allowed a run on four hits and two walks over 6-2/3 innings, while striking out six. But while the Hawks routinely threatened to score, they could not push across the tying run.