Yuki Yanagita's clutch batting helped drive the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks past the Seibu Lions for the second straight day as his undefeated club beat the defending Pacific League champions 3-1 on Saturday to sweep the three-game opening series.
Batting third for the Hawks, Yanagita went 3-for-3 at Yafuoku Dome and blasted a two-run homer against Kona Takahashi (0-1) in the sixth to overturn the Lions' 1-0 lead.
The 30-year-old slugger belted a grand slam in the Hawks' 6-5 come-from-behind win against the Lions on Saturday.