Outfielder Yukihiko Sato drove in three runs and designated hitter Frank Bolick went 2-for-2 Monday as the Chiba Lotte Marines beat the Yomiuri Giants 6-3 in an exhibition game.
Yomiuri cleanup hitter Hideki Matsui hit a solo shot off Yasuhiko Yabuta for his sixth home run of the spring before 30,000 spectators at Chiba Marine Stadium in one of the two games played on the final day of the preseason exhibition schedule.
At Seibu Dome, Seibu Lions right-hander Kenichi Toriyabe, who returned from an elbow surgery to earn eight wins in a minor league last season, pitched five scoreless innings in a 1-1 tie with the Hiroshima Carp.
Toriyabe combined with four relievers, including closer Kiyoshi Toyoda, on a four-hitter while the Seibu offense was limited to just three hits.
The Hanshin Tigers, playing under new manager Senichi Hoshino, topped the exhibition standings with 15 wins, three losses and two ties. The Yokohama BayStars finished second with a 9-5-2 record and Yomiuri third with 10-6-2.
The regular season for the Central and Pacific Leagues opens Saturday.
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