Tokorozawa Saitama Pref. Tsuyoshi Nishioka was the stabilizer for the Chiba Lotte Marines during the regular season. That's an indisputable fact.

And now that the postseason has begun, the Marines expect more of the same.

On Saturday, the shortstop ignited the offense, which had a stunning rally in the ninth inning in Game 1 of the Pacific League Climax Series first stage.