Yuji Yoshioka belted a three-run homer in the top of the eighth inning Sunday as the Kintetsu Buffaloes crushed the Daiei Hawks 10-4 to prevent the Pacific League leaders from clinching the pennant.
Yoshioka drilled a towering blast into the left field stands at the Fukuoka Dome to give the Buffaloes a comfortable seven-run lead and send the Hawks to their third straight loss.
The Hawks will have to wait until Tuesday for a chance to wrap up their first pennant since 2000 when they travel to Chiba to play the Lotte Marines.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.