Yakult 1, at SoftBank 8

FUKUOKA (Interstat) — Isami Nomura hit two home runs and drove in three runs, and Yugo Maeda pitched seven strong innings as the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks defeated the Tokyo Yakult Swallows 8-1 on Saturday afternoon at Fukuoka Yahuoku! Dome. Nomura homered in the sixth and seventh innings, and Kensuke Kondoh also connected for a two-run shot in the third as the Hawks broke open a tight game. Maeda allowed three hits and one run while striking out seven to improve to 4-0. The left-hander retired the side in order in four of his seven innings and did not walk a… Read more...