Yomiuri Giants slugger Lee Seung Yeop hits a solo home run in the second inning against the Hiroshima
Carp on Wednesday at Kyocera Dome. The Giants won 3-2.
KYODO PHOTOSENDAI (Kyodo) Highly touted rookie Masahiro Tanaka pitched two-run ball over the distance with 13 strikeouts, powering the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles to a 6-2 victory over the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in the Pacific League on Wednesday.
Tanaka (1-0) finally got in the winner's circle after three no-decisions, scattering nine hits and one walk at Fullcast Stadium.
Toshiya Sugiuchi (2-1) yielded four runs with five hits in seven innings in taking the loss.
"I feel great. Pitching a complete game is a bonus," the 18-year-old Tanaka said. "I was able to gain confidence but the most important thing was winning. I think getting my first win in my fourth start was quick."
Fighters 4, Lions 2
At Goodwill Dome, Brian Sweeney combined with three Hokkaido Nippon Ham relievers to hold Seibu to two runs and earn his first win in Japan.
Buffaloes at Marines -- ppd.
CENTRAL LEAGUE
Giants 3, Carp 2
At Kyocera Dome, rookie left-hander Norihito Kaneto pitched seven strong innings and walked away a winner thanks to Damon Hollins' clutch RBI single as Yomiuri edged Hiroshima.
Kaneto (2-0) allowed two runs on three hits, striking out seven.
Tigers 9, Dragons 1
At Nagoya Dome, Tomoaki Kanemoto hit a three-run homer and had four RBIs in a 13-hit attack as Hanshin trounced Chunichi.
Swallows at BayStars -- ppd.