Ivan Cruz connected for a three-run homer in the first inning Sunday and the Chunichi Dragons held on for a 10-9 victory over the Yomiuri Giants.
Cruz, formerly of the St. Louis Cardinals, belted the first pitch from Yomiuri rookie Hiroshi Kisanuki just under the centerfield scoreboard as the Dragons jumped out to an early 3-0 lead at Tokyo Dome.
Chunichi opened up an 8-2 lead after three innings but the Giants fought back on homers by Shunsuke Hara, Shinnosuke Abe, Roberto Petagine, Toshihisa Nishi and Tomohiro Nioka.