Journeyman right-hander Yuya Kubo got a pair of big strikeouts to preserve the lead as the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles held off the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters 6-5 on Wednesday night.

With runners on second and third, the 37-year-old Kubo found an extra gear to bail the Pacific League-leading Eagles out of a tough spot before 26,886 at Kobo Park Miyagi.

"I'm really not a strikeout pitcher, but considering the situation I thought I'd change my style a little tonight and go for strikeouts," said the 15-year veteran. "I was kind of getting goose bumps with the crowd cheering me on."