Jose Ortiz provided the go-ahead run with a pinch-hit, two-RBI single in the sixth inning as Softbank came back from three runs down to beat the Seibu Lions 5-4 Monday, sweeping the Pacific League leaders in a three-game homestand.
Ortiz drove in the pair of runs with two outs and the bases loaded, after Hitoshi Tamura had pulled the Hawks within one of the Lions, who dropped their fourth straight.
Softbank has beaten Seibu six consecutive times at Yahoo Dome. The Lions' magic number stood at four as the Hawks moved within half a game of first place.