Shinjiro Hiyama led off the bottom of the ninth with a "sayonara" homer off BayStars starter Chris Holt (1-2) as the Hanshin Tigers edged Yokohama 3-2 at Koshien Stadium on Friday, sending the BayStars to their fourth straight loss.
With the win, coupled with the loss of the Dragons, the Tigers grabbed a share of the lead in the Central League standings with Chunichi.
Hanshin starter Hideki Irabu (3-0) went the distance on 132 pitches, scattering four hits while fanning 11 batters for the win in a tight two-hour, 20-minute pitching duel against Holt.