Hiroki Yamamura pitched two-run ball over 6 2/3 solid innings and Jose Fernandez hit a two-run homer Monday as the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles held on to beat the Yakult Swallows 4-2 at Jingu Stadium in interleague play.
Yakult's loss to Rakuten meant that the Japan Series defending champion Chiba Lotte Marines are set to finish atop the standings to claim the title in interleague play for the second consecutive year since the system was introduced last season.
Tigers 5, Fighters 2
At Koshien Stadium, Tomoaki Kanemoto hit a two-run drive to open the scoring and Akihiro Yano followed with a two-run triple in a five-run fifth inning as Hanshin downed Hokkaido Nippon Ham.
Buffaloes 4, Giants 2
At Kobe's Skymark Stadium, Tom Davey threw eight shutout innings scattering six hits as Orix sent struggling Yomiuri to its third loss in four games.