The big guns drew blanks for the Yakult Swallows on Wednesday, but a role player picked up the slack.
Pinch-hitter Kota Soejima smacked a solo homer in the seventh inning to give the Swallows a 2-1 victory over the Kintetsu Buffaloes in Game 4 of the Japan Series at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium.
The Swallows now lead the series three games to one and can capture their fifth crown tonight at Jingu. The Buffaloes are still searching for their first title.