Hirokazu Ibata drove in two runs Wednesday night as the Chunichi Dragons closed in on their first Central League pennant in five years with a 3-0 win over the Yakult Swallows.
Chunichi's Hirokazu Ibata hits a two-run double Wednesday at Nagoya Dome. The Dragons beat the Yakult Swallows 3-0.
Ibata drove in the runs with a double to left in the fifth inning at Nagoya Dome. Hiroyuki Watanabe added another run in the eighth on a single to left.
Veteran left-hander Masahiro Yamamoto allowed seven hits over seven scoreless innings for the win. Hitoki Iwase recorded the final two outs in the ninth for his 20th save of the season.
The Dragons last won the pennant in 1999 but lost to the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks in the Japan Series.
BayStars 6, Giants 3
At Yokohama Stadium, Tatsuhiko Kinjo homered and drove in a pair of runs to power the BayStars to a win over fading Yomiuri.
Kinjo hit a solo homer in the second inning off Yomiuri starter Kimiyasu Kudo and then drove in another run with a single in the third inning as the BayStars scored four runs to take a commanding 6-2 lead.
Carp 3, Tigers 2
At Hiroshima Municipal Stadium, leadoff hitter Shigeru Morikasa tripled in a pair of runs in the third inning to lead the Carp past Hanshin.
Hiroshima starter John Bale struck out 11 Hanshin batters and picked up the win.
PACIFIC LEAGUE
Buffaloes 4, BlueWave 3
At Osaka Dome, Jeremy Powell gave up one run on six hits over seven innings as Kintetsu edged Orix.
Osamu Hoshino drove in a pair of runs for the Buffs.