Daisuke Matsuzaka came through with another huge win.
Matsuzaka struck out seven while giving up two runs on six hits over eight innings Sunday as the Seibu Lions defeated the Chunichi Dragons 4-2 in Game 6 of the Japan Series to force a decisive Game 7 on Monday.
Matsuzaka, who went 10-6 in the regular season, is arguably the best pitcher in Japanese baseball. He led Japan to a 6-3 win over gold medal winners Cuba at the Athens Olympics.
"We had our backs to the wall and I just tried to pitch with a sense of urgency," said Matsuzaka, who picked up his first Japan Series win. "If they need me, I'm prepared to pitch tomorrow too."
The right-hander took the loss in Game 2 of the series when he ran out of gas in the seventh inning and gave up eight runs. He didn't let that happen this time and worked out of two-out, two-on jam in the eighth that silenced the crowd of 38,120.
"Matsuzaka pitched a great game for us," said Seibu manager Tsutomu Ito. "It was huge for him to come into their building and pitch like that."
Seibu closer Kiyoshi Toyoda retired the side in the ninth.
The Central League champion Dragons were looking to wrap up their first Japan Series title in 50 years but will have to wait until Monday's game at Nagoya Dome.
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