FUKUOKA — It may not have been the most beautiful way of getting a "W." But winning is all that matters in the postseason, and the Hawks were pleased they did just that.

Fukuoka Softbank scored the game's only run on erratic plays by the Marines in the first inning and went on to preserve the lead in the Hawks' 1-0 win over Chiba Lotte in Game 3 of the Pacific League Climax Series final stage on Saturday afternoon.

With the one-win advantage, the Hawks are now up 3-1 in the series, one victory away from clinching their first Japan Series berth in seven years.