Daisuke Matsuzaka, returning to the starter's role Sunday, scattered five hits over eight-plus innings to pace Seibu 5-0 over the Daiei Hawks and lift the Lions into first place in the Pacific League standings.
Matsuzaka (3-0) dominated at the Fukuoka Dome with a crisp fastball and slider while striking out eight as Seibu notched its 20th win of the season to move a half-game in front of the Orix BlueWave.
Marines 3, BlueWave 2 (10)
In Kobe, Saburo Omura squeezed home pinch-runner Koichi Hori in the top of the 10th and closer Brian Warren retired the side on four pitches in the bottom of the frame to give Lotte a victory over Orix.
Fighters 4, Buffaloes 2
At the Tokyo Dome, third-year southpaw Akio Shimizu scattered five hits over seven innings for his first win as a pro and Makoto Kaneko connected for his first homer of the season as Nippon Ham edged Kintetsu.
CENTRAL LEAGUE
Giants 3, Tigers 2
Yomiuri forged a two-run rally out of a walk and a pair of doubles in the eighth inning to snare a win from Hanshin and climb into first place in the CL standings.
Dragons 4, Carp 0
Kenshin Kawakami allowed only three hits over 5 2/3 scoreless innings for his first win of the season as Chunichi won its fourth straight over Hiroshima to move out of the CL cellar.
BayStars vs. Swallows -- ppd.