FUKUOKA - Itsuki Murabayashi delivered a go-ahead solo home run in the top of the eighth inning as the Rakuten Eagles defeated the SoftBank Hawks 3-2 in Pacific League baseball on Wednesday.
The Eagles clinched the series and extended their win streak to four games following a quality start from left-hander Tatsuki Koja, who allowed two runs over 6-1/3 innings at Mizuho PayPay Dome.
Taiwanese reliever Sung Chia-hao (2-0) was called into action after the defending Japanese Series champion tied it 2-2 with one out in the seventh. He earned his second win after completing the inning with no further damage.
With two out in the eighth, Murabayashi faced reliever Shuto Ogata (0-1) and sent his first pitch of the game, a 155-kilometer-per-hour fastball, deep to the seats behind left field.
"I'm glad I was able to come up with a hit at a big moment, and it was good that we could hold on for the win," Murabayashi said. "It's still early in the season, so we just need to focus on winning the next game."
The Eagles will aim to sweep the three-game series at Kitakyushu Municipal Stadium on Thursday.
