Tomohiro Nioka and Yoshinori Murata drove in two runs apiece and rookie southpaw Hisanori Takahashi made yet another solid outing Tuesday as the Yomiuri Giants became the first team to reach 60 wins with a 4-3 victory over the Hanshin Tigers.
Nioka's high-bouncing double down the left-field line and a single by Murata put Yomiuri up 2-0 and the pair doubled the lead in the next frame with a single and a squeeze bunt to chase Hanshin starter Keiichi Yabu (6-7) from the Tokyo Dome mound.
Takahashi (9-3) held Hanshin to two runs and five hits while striking out eight in 6 2/3 innings.