Takahiro Norimoto tied the NPB record for striking out 10 or more batters in six successive games Thursday as he steered the Pacific-League leading Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles to a 4-1 win over the Orix Buffaloes.

Norimoto (6-1), who earned his fifth straight win by allowing one run on five hits and two walks over eight innings, fanned 10 at Hotto Motto Field to equal former big leaguer Hideo Nomo's feat in 1991 while playing for the Kintetsu Buffaloes.

"There were many things going through my head, including the record, but the team winning was the priority," Norimoto said.