SAPPORO -- Satoru Kanemura left after the fifth inning of the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters' Game 4 victory, and health apparently was a factor.

Kanemura, who won nine games during the regular season, has been monitored all season along after having offseason surgery in his pitching elbow, but a groin injury was the culprit Wednesday at Sapporo Dome, according to Fighters pitching coach Mike Brown.

Kanemura allowed five hits and two walks in earning the victory, Nippon Ham's third in a row since falling behind 1-0 in the Japan Series.