Tomoaki Kanemoto, Shinjiro Hiyama and George Arias combined to drive in 13 runs as the Hanshin Tigers trounced the first-place Chunichi Dragons in an 18-hit onslaught for a 15-1 victory on Saturday night.
Arias had five RBIs, including a three-run homer in the sixth inning and the Tigers teed off for 10 hits off Masafumi Hirai (4-4) to take an 8-0 lead after three frames at Koshien Stadium.
Kevin Hodges (1-0) pitched seven scoreless innings of four-hit ball and got the win.
Giants 4, Swallows 1