Hideki Matsui belted a two-run homer and Hisanori Takahashi was solid over 62/3 innings as the Yomiuri Giants created a three-way tie for the lead in the Central League with a 4-2 win over the Chunichi Dragons at the Nagoya Dome on Wednesday.
Matsui's third homer of the season followed an RBI single by Yoshinobu Takahashi in the first inning as the Giants jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead after battling to a 1-1 tie with Chunichi the night before.
Second-year southpaw Takahashi (1-0) struck out five and allowed five hits -- including a two-run homer to Takeshi Yamasaki in the sixth inning -- for his first win of the season.