Outfielder Sherman Obando homered and drove in four runs Sunday to lead the red-hot Nippon Ham Fighters to a 7-5 victory over the Daiei Hawks at the Tokyo Dome.
Nippon Ham's victory, coupled with Seibu's loss to the Lotte Marines, allowed the Fighters to move into first place in the Pacific League standings for the first time since last May with a half-game lead over the Lions.
Obando belted a three-run homer to left in the second inning after the Fighters jumped out to an early lead with four runs in the first frame en route to a sixth victory in their last seven games.