Yuki Yanagita started a triple play and plated the tying run as the Pacific League-leading Fukuoka Softbank Hawks came from behind to beat the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters 2-1 on Tuesday.
Jason Standridge (2-1) allowed a run in seven innings at Tokyo Dome, but got some help from Yanagita and the Fighters to escape the third inning with just a run scored.
The Fighters drew three walks over the first two innings from the big right-hander, but couldn't manage a hit until Yang Dai-kang led off the third with a single and Haruki Nishikawa doubled. Double-duty Fighters star Shohei Otani singled in the game's first run and put runners on the corners, but Nippon Ham could get nothing more.