Luis Mendoza allowed two runs over seven-plus innings to pick up his first win of the year as the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters mauled the Pacific League-leading Chiba Lotte Marines 13-3 on Friday.
Mendoza (1-2) allowed eight hits and four walks while striking out one in his 115 pitches, allowing his only runs in the eighth inning to Alfredo Despaigne's two-run homer with his last pitch, when his team had a 13-0 lead.
"I knew I was starting and needed to win, and it is a good thing it was in Sapporo Dome for the first win," Mendoza said. "I struggled at the mound at the beginning but tried to just calm down, tried to keep it a close game.