Tomoaki Kanemoto hit a tiebreaking three-run home run in the eighth inning Tuesday, lifting the Central-League leading Hanshin Tigers to a 5-2 win over the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in interleague play.
Hanshin Tigers starter Kei Igawa delivers a pitch against the Tohoku Rakuten
Golden Eagles Tuesday at Koshien Stadium.
Shane Spencer led off the frame with a pinch-hit homer to right and after Norihiro Akahoshi singled and Andy Sheets drew a walk to put runners at first and second with one out, Kanemoto connected off Hiroki Yamamura (2-5) on a first pitch forkball for the come-from-behind win at Koshien Stadium.
Kei Igawa (4-3) struck out 12 batters, allowing two runs -- one unearned -- on seven hits and two walks for the win. Tomoyuki Kubota pitched a perfect ninth with two strikeouts to earn his 11th save.