TOKOROZAWA, Saitama Pref. -- What a response.
Fukuoka Softbank's Nobuhiko Matsunaka slams a three-run homer off Lions reliever Takashi Ishii in the top of the ninth at Invoice Seibu Dome on Sunday afternoon. With the 11-3 win, the Hawks tied the first-stage Pacific League playoffs at 1-1.
KYODO PHOTOPunched in the mouth by Daisuke Matsuzaka and the Seibu Lions in Saturday's series opener, the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks bounced back with an 11-3 win Sunday at Invoice Seibu Dome, pushing the first-stage Pacific League playoffs to a decisive Game 3.