OSAKA -- Hisashi Iwakuma fired a two-hitter as the Kintetsu Buffaloes scored a key 5-0 victory over the Seibu Lions at the Osaka Dome on Tuesday night, boosting their lead in the Pacific League to 11/2 games, and keeping the dream of going worst to first in just one season alive.
Central League WonLostTiedPct.GB Yakult 69 48 5 .590 - Yomiuri 70 58 2 .547 4.5 Hiroshima 57 57 7 .500 10.5 Yokohama 56 61 3 .479 13.0 Chunichi 57 63 3 .475 13.5 Hanshin 50 72 1 .410 21.5 Pacific League WonLostTiedPct.GB Kintetsu 72 58 2 .554 - Seibu 72 61 0 .541 1.5 Daiei 70 61 1 .534 2.5 Orix 62 63 4 .496 7.5 Lotte 61 66 2 .480 9.5 Nippon Ham 50 78 3 .391 21.0
The Buffaloes, last in the PL in 2000 with a 58-75-2 mark, have eight games remaining this season, and after going through a rough patch, seem to have regained their stride. They are indeed beginning to look like a team of destiny.