Yuki Yoshimura saved the day with a dramatic two-run game-winning double in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks to a 3-2 win over the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in Game 1 of the Pacific League Climax Series Final Stage on Wednesday night.
The Hawks, who receive an automatic one-win advantage as PL champions, took a 2-0 edge in the series.
"You never know what will happen to the very end. That's baseball. It's to be expected but the team gets nervous in the first game of the Climax Series. Winning the way we did tonight will build momentum for us. It sure was a big victory," said Hawks manager Koji Akiyama, who on Tuesday announced he will step down at the end of the season.