Pedro Valdes went 2-for-2 with three RBIs, including a solo homer in the second inning en route to the Pacific League-leading Fukuoka Daiei Hawks' 7-1 washout of the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes on Monday.

Nobuhiko Matsunaka's run-scoring double broke a 1-all tie in the third inning at Fukuoka Dome and Kenji Jojima added a run on a sacrifice fly followed by Valdes' two-run bases-loaded double in the seventh.

Toshiya Sugiuchi (9-7) got the win after allowing one run and two hits while striking out nine in seven innings.

The Hawks snapped a two-game losing streak as their magic number to clinch the pennant dropped to 14 while the Buffaloes lost their fourth straight.

Marines 4, Lions 2

At Seibu Dome, Rick Short connected for a two-run double to highlight a three-run fourth inning as Lotte beat Seibu.

The Lions were caught in three double plays and wasted a one-out situation with runners on second and third in the eighth.

Nate Minchey (12-7) picked up the win despite allowing 10 hits in seven innings.

Fighters 5, BlueWave 4

At Tokyo Dome, Angel Echevarria knocked in the game-winner on a one-out single off Hisashi Ogura (3-11) in the bottom of the ninth inning to give Nippon Ham a "sayonara" win over Orix.