The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks bullpen squandered a two-run lead on Sunday as the Chiba Lotte Marines came back for a 5-4 win to claim the three-game series in the Pacific League.
Ariel Miranda allowed two runs and struck out four over five solid innings at Yafuoku Dome, but Hawks relievers struggled in the second half of the game as Shogo Nakamura delivered a game-winning RBI in the seventh.
Alfredo Despaigne and Kenta Imamiya each homered and drove in a combined four runs against Ayumu Ishikawa (1-2), but the right-hander hung in for six innings while striking out six and was credited with the win.