The Chiba Lotte Marines were taking a chance holding back ace Yoshihisa Naruse in Game 5 of the Japan Series, where a loss would've left them in an uphill battle to win the title.
Turns out it wasn't that big of a gamble after all. Because the hitters did their jobs and Hayden Penn did his part.
The Marines put forth a great performance at the plate in a 10-4 win on Thursday, but Penn also held his own on the mound and as a result, the Marines will take a 3-2 series lead into Game 6 on Saturday, when they will have a chance to send the title back to Chiba.