Rookie Kenta Abe set the pace by allowing just one run over 6 2/3 innings and Tuffy Rhodes capped the scoring for the home team with his 43rd homer of the season as the Kintetsu Buffaloes beat the Nippon Ham Fighters 3-1 in the Pacific League on Sunday.
Kazuhiro Hiramatsu of the Dragons pitches against the BayStars.
Eighteen-year-old Abe (1-0), who joined the Buffaloes as a fourth-round draft pick, earned the win after pitching four-hit ball and striking out six in his first start.