Kazuya Fukuura hit a two-run homer while Kiyoshi Hatsushiba and Tasuku Hashimoto added solo blasts Sunday as the Chiba Lotte Marines downed the Nippon Ham Fighters 13-2 to snap a 10-game losing streak.
Chiba Lotte Marines starter Shunsuke Watanabe (second from left) celebrates with his teammates after snapping the team's 10-game losing streak by beating the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters
13-2 on Sunday at Tokyo Dome.
Fukuura's two-run shot off Nippon Ham starter Ryan Rupe highlighted a four-run second inning at Tokyo Dome.
The victory was a big relief for Bobby Valentine's team, which got off to an impressive 7-2 start before going into a 10-game tailspin to fall into last place in the Pacific League standings.
Hawks 6, Lions 3
At Seibu Dome, catcher Kenji Jojima went 3-for-4 and drove in a pair of runs as Daiei rallied to beat the Lions.
Buffaloes 6, BlueWave 0
At Osaka Dome, Hisashi Iwakuma tossed a two-hitter and improved to 4-0 on the season as Kintetsu downed Orix.
CENTRAL LEAGUE
Dragons 6, BayStars 4
At Shimonoseki Stadium, Kazuyoshi Tatsunami and Motonobu Tanishige each drove in a pair of runs to lead Chunichi over Yokohama.
Carp 10, Giants 3
At Hiroshima Stadium, Shigenobu Shima hit a two-run homer, Takahiro Arai belted a grand slam and Andy Sheets added a three-run homer as the Carp completed a three-game sweep of Yomiuri.
Swallows 7, Tigers 6
At Jingu Stadium, Ken Suzuki went 5-for-5 and connected for a "sayonara" hit off Jeff Williams for his fifth RBI as Yakult edged Hanshin.
Saito off roster
FUKUOKA (Kyodo) Fukuoka Daiei Hawks right-hander Kazumi Saito was removed from the active roster Sunday after suffering two straight losses following an Opening Day win this season.