Hirotoshi Takanashi pitched into the eighth inning and Shohei Otani homered twice as the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters punished the Seibu Lions 9-2 on Friday night.
Through seven innings, Takanashi (5-7) was in stellar form, allowing just two hits while striking out nine, putting a dent in the second-place Lions' hope for a miracle come-from-behind Pacific League pennant.
In the end, however, Takanashi faltered, running his pitch count up and spoiling his chance for a complete-game shutout in the eighth, when he exited after 129 pitches.