CHIBA —

Yu Darvish pitched eight electric innings and got plenty of run support as the Nippon Ham Fighters blanked the Lotte Marines 5-0 to regain sole possession of first place Friday. Darvish (10-2) walked leadoff man Tsuyoshi Nishioka in the first inning but did not allow a hit until yielding consecutive singles to Saburo Omura and Tasuku Hashimoto to start the eighth. ‘‘I thought I might give up a hit at one point, so I was able to relax and pitch my game. I got a lot of run support and the defense was also solid, so I am really thankful,’’ said Darvish.
   
He struck out seven and walked two, retiring 15 in a row from the third en route to becoming the first pitcher in Japanese baseball to win 10 games this season. ‘‘It has been tough to pitch here (in Chiba) before because of the wind. Tonight I was able to use the wind to my advantage and pitch at my own pace,’’ Darvish said. Hichori Morimoto hit a solo homer in the first off Hiroyuki Kobayashi (1-5) and Terrmel Sledge had a two-run shot to cap a three-run eighth.

Scores elsewhere:  Lions 10, Hawks 4; Buffaloes 3, Eagles 1; Giants 7, Swallows 2; Dragons 3, Carp 2 and Tigers 9, BayStars 4
 

Kyodo

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