The Pacific League-leading Seibu Lions defeated the Chiba Lotte Marines 9-8 on Friday, rallying from behind in the late innings for the second straight game.
Seibu's Shuta Tonosaki made the difference with his bat and glove to spark the Lions to victory on a night when lefty star Yusei Kikuchi was proving very hittable.
Tonosaki tied it 3-3 in the sixth with a two-run homer and then snuffed out a Marines rally in the eighth. With two outs and the bases loaded, the Lions right fielder made a diving catch on a sinking liner to save at least one run and leave Seibu with just a 5-3 deficit heading into the bottom of the eighth.