The Chunichi Dragons moved within one win of its first  championship title in 53 years with a 4-2 win over the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters.

Cleanup hitter Tyrone Woods put the hosts on the scoreboard,  reaching first on a grounder to third and scoring on a  Lee Byung-kyu fielder’s choice. The play could have been an inning ending double play, but Lee hustled down the line to beat the relay.

However, the Fighters would later tie the game, scoring runs on a double and a bases loaded walk.

In hopes of shaking up a staff that had allowed 19 runs in two games Fighters manager Trey Hillman made a surprise move, starting 19-year-old rookie Mitsuo Yoshikawa. The youngster pitched well, but walked five, hit a batter and later threw a wild pitch  that broke the tie.      

In the seventh Norihiro Nakamura singled to add an insurance run. It would be more than enough for closer Iwase Hitoki who struck out two of three batters to pick up the save.

The Dragons will go for the series win Thursday evening.