Lotte shortstop Makoto Kosaka drilled a grand slam to highlight a five-run sixth inning as Lotte climbed into first place in the Pacific League standings with an 8-1 victory over the Kintetsu Buffaloes at Chiba Marine Stadium on Sunday.
Kosaka had three hits, and his first-career grand slam helped Lotte snap its losing streak at four games. Starter Nate Minchey (3-3) went over the distance for the first time since 1998, limiting Kintetsu to six hits while fanning six to halt the Buffaloes' winning streak at six.
Motoyuki Akahori (1-1) took the loss, giving up five earned runs in five plus innings.