Sho Nakata hit a game-tying solo homer in the eighth inning and Takuya Nakashima broke the balance with a two-run single in the top of the 11th as the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters beat the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks 6-4 in Game 5 of the Pacific League Climax Series Final Stage on Sunday.

With the victory, the third-place Fighters evened the series at 3-3 and forced a Game 6 on Monday night against the Hawks, who had received a one-win advantage as the PL champions.

"I am glad they fought until the end. We wanted to play a game tomorrow. If we win we move on, if we lose it's over. I'll put my trust in my players," said Fighters manager Hideki Kuriyama.