TOKOROZAWA, Japan (Interstat) — Hiroto Kobukata’s two-run triple in the eighth inning broke a scoreless duel and propelled the Rakuten Golden Eagles to a 2-1 victory over the Saitama Seibu Lions on Saturday evening at Seibu Dome.

The game was a pitchers’ showcase until the late rally. Seibu starter Natsuki Takeuchi struck out 10 over seven scoreless innings, allowing just two hits. Rakuten’s Ryota Takinaka matched him with six shutout innings and five strikeouts.

The deadlock ended in the eighth when Kobukata tripled off reliever Hiroshi Kaino with two outs, scoring both runs. Seibu scored once in the ninth off Chia-Hao Sung, but Chiharu Tanaka recorded the final out for the save. Sung earned the win. Attendance was 21,983.