Hideki Matsui singled home runs in the first and third innings Tuesday and the Yomiuri Giants grabbed a share of first place in the Central League standings with a 6-2 triumph over the Chunichi Dragons.
Yomiuri, which saw its eight-game winning streak snapped the night before at Nagoya Dome, came back for a win as starter Kazuhiro Takeda and two relievers combined on a six-hitter.
Fifteen-year veteran Takeda (1-0) held his old Chunichi teammates to two runs on four hits over six innings to become the third pitcher in Japanese baseball history to post wins against all 12 teams in professional baseball in Japan.
Tigers vs. Swallows -- ppd.
Carp vs. BayStars -- ppd.
PACIFIC LEAGUE
Lions 7, Fighters 0
Hsu Ming Chieh held Nippon Ham scoreless on six hits and Seibu stretched its lead at the top of the standings to a full game with a win over the Fighters.
Hsu (2-3) notched his first complete game since last August, going the distance on 126 pitches while striking out six and allowing a pair of walks.
Katsuhiko Miyaji hit a grand slam in the seventh inning for Seibu as the Lions won their fourth game in a row for the second time this season.
Hawks vs. Buffaloes -- ppd.
BlueWave vs. Marines -- ppd.
Monthly MVP awards
Hanshin Tigers southpaw Kei Igawa -- the engine behind the Central League club's newfound drive -- received his first monthly most valuable player award Tuesday along with teammate and infielder Makoto Imaoka.
In the Pacific League, Seibu Lions right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka took monthly honors for the first time in three years, while Nippon Ham Fighters infielder Michihiro Ogasawara, was named the player of the month for the third time in as many years.