Daisuke Matsuzaka denied the Daiei Hawks a fourth straight victory in the Pacific League by pitching seven strong innings in the Seibu Lions' 6-2 triumph on Friday.
Kintetsu Buffaloes fans hold up signs that read "opposed to merger" during Friday's game against the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters at Sapporo Dome.
Matsuzaka (10-6) struck out 12 and walked none in a heated duel against Kazumi Saito at Fukuoka Dome, limiting the damage to solo homers by Julio Zuleta and Tadahito Iguchi.
The sixth-year right-hander saw his fifth double-digit season after leading the league with 16, 14 and 15 wins in the first three years of his career.