The Fukuoka Softbank Hawks clinched the Pacific League championship on Thursday, when Nobuhiro Matsuda singled home the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning in a 2-1 win over the Orix Buffaloes.

"I'm content," said Hawks skipper Koji Akiyama. "More than me, this (pennant race) has been excruciating for the players and fans so it's good we won the championship."

Alessandro Maestri, Orix's sixth pitcher, walked Yuki Yanagita to open the bottom of the 10th. A sacrifice and a walk put runners on first and second for former Buffalo Lee Dae-ho, who walked to load the bases.