The Kintetsu Buffaloes scored 10 runs in the fifth inning and went on to trounce the Daiei Hawks 12-5 on Monday, reclaiming the Pacific League lead for the second time in the latest three-game series between the league's top two teams.
Norihiro Nakamura hit a two-run homer in the third to tie the game at 2-2 before an RBI double by Naoyuki Omura ignited the outburst for the Buffaloes, who had seven hits and drew five walks as they sent 15 batters to the plate in the fifth at the Fukuoka Dome. Ken Kadokura (1-1) won for the first time in his sixth start this season, allowing five runs and nine hits in seven innings.
Monday's win gave Kintetsu, the best slugging team this season, a half-game lead over Daiei.