Tuffy Rhodes went 4-for-4 and slugged a pair of homers to drive in five runs, leading the Kintetsu Buffaloes to an 11-2 triumph over the Lotte Marines on Wednesday at Chiba Marine Stadium.
Rhodes hit his 45th clout of the season, a two-run shot, in the second inning and No. 46, a three-run blast, in the third. He now leads Alex Cabrera of the Seibu Lions by two home runs.
The Buffs jumped on Lotte starter Brian Sikorski (0-4), who gave up seven runs over two-plus innings. With the Marines up 1-0 in the second inning, the Buffaloes scored six runs to set the tone.