Osamu Hamanaka and Takashi Toritani hit back-to-back homers in a three-run eighth-inning rally Thursday, lifting the Hanshin Tigers to an 8-7 win over the Chunichi Dragons in the Central League.
Hanshin overcame deficits of 5-1 and 6-5 against Kenshin Kawakami (14-4) when Hamanaka drove a go-ahead two-run shot over the left-center field wall before Toritani followed with a solo blast to right at Koshien Stadium.
Hanshin closer Kyuji Fujikawa allowed an RBI single to Kosuke Fukudome as Chunichi pulled within a run in the ninth, but struck out Tyrone Woods for the game-ending out and earned his 11th save.
Jeff Williams (2-2) got the win after working a scoreless eighth. Kawakami, the league's winningest pitcher, lost his second straight start in a complete-game outing.
Fukudome and Kazuki Inoue drove home two runs apiece for the Dragons, who saw their CL lead over the Tigers cut to seven games with their sixth loss in eight games. Andy Sheets homered for Hanshin.
Carp 3, Giants 0
At Yahoo Dome, Hiroki Kuroda struck out seven in seven shutout innings and Akihiro Higashide and Shigenobu Shima hit RBI singles in a three-run fourth inning as Hiroshima blanked Yomiuri to end its three-game losing skid.
Dragons 7, Tigers 8
BayStars 4, Swallows 5
PACIFIC LEAGUE
Eagles 5, Fighters 6