Catcher Akihiro Yano scored the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning Thursday as the Hanshin Tigers edged the Hiroshima Carp 1-0 to extend their unbeaten streak to 10 games and grab the Central League lead.
With one out and runners on first and third, Hiroshima second baseman Takuya Kimura fielded pinch-hitter Makoto Sasaki's high bouncer and threw to home but catcher Shuji Nishiyama dropped the ball as Yano slid home for the "sayonara" victory.
Hanshin ace Keiichi Yabu (4-0) fanned eight while giving up only four hits for the complete-game victory as the Tigers moved into sole possession of first place in the CL standings for the first time since June 10 of last season.