Lotte 1, at Nippon-Ham 7

SAPPORO, Japan (Interstat) — Takayuki Katoh delivered six dominant innings and the Nippon-Ham Fighters’ lineup provided ample early support as the home team cruised to a 7-1 victory over the Chiba Lotte Marines on Thursday evening at Sapporo Dome. A crowd of 29,746 watched the Fighters even their three-game series at one win apiece and improve their season record to 2-4. The Marines fell to 3-3. The most important part of the game was Katoh’s masterful start, which set the tone and stifled the Lotte offense before it could begin. The right-hander allowed just four hits and struck out five… Read more...