Kodai Senga gave the Yomiuri Giants chances early on as he worked his way into Game 1 of this year's Japan Series.
Once the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks ace finally got going, however, the Giants' hopes faded with each retired batter.
Senga outdueled Shun Yamaguchi in a matchup of two of NPB's top pitchers, Yurisbel Gracial hit a two-run home run and the Hawks got off to a fast start in the Japan Series with a 7-2 win on Saturday night at Yafuoku Dome.