Designated hitter Julio Zuleta drove in the winning run Saturday to lift the Pacific League champion Fukuoka Daiei Hawks to a dramatic 5-4 victory over the Central League champion Hanshin Tigers in Game 1 of the Japan Series.
Daiei hawks catcher Kenji Jojima blasts a solo home run off Hanshin Tigers starter Kei
Igawa to the left-field bleacher in the bottom of the fourth inning Saturday at Fukuoka Dome in the
opener of the best-of-seven 2003 Japan Series. The Hawks won 5-4.
With runners on first and second and two out in the bottom of the ninth, Zuleta connected off Hanshin reliever Yuya Ando for a walkoff single to left over the head of Hanshin center fielder Norihiro Akahoshi.
After pinch runner Motoi Okoshi scored the winning run from second, Daiei players came charging off the bench to mob Zuleta.