Rookie left-hander Norihito Kaneto threw two-run ball in his career first complete game as the Central League leading Yomiuri Giants defeated the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks 6-2 on Wednesday.
Rakuten starter Masahiro Tanaka delivers a pitch against Chunichi at Hamamatsu Stadium on Wednesday.
KYODO PHOTOKaneto (5-1) allowed just two hits through the first seven innings before his velocity dropped. He gave up seven hits, including a solo blast to Nobuhiko Mtasunaka in the ninth, with five strikeouts and two walks at Tokyo Dome.
Lee Seung Yeop hit a solo shot in the fourth and Damon Hollins had a two-run drive to cap a four-run eighth.
Hawks' lefty Tsuyoshi Wada (4-4) lost his third straight decision.
Marines 4, Carp 3
At Hiroshima Stadium, Lotte rallied from a three-run deficit with sacrifice flies by Tsuyoshi Nishioka and Daisuke Hayakawa in the sixth and Benny Agbayani had a two-run blast the next inning to give Chiba Lotte the lead over Hiroshima en route to the win.
Eagles 4, Dragons 2
At Hamamatsu Stadium, Rick Short had a sacrifice fly and Fumitoshi Takano followed with a run-scoring single to tie it in the ninth before an errant throw on the part of Chunichi second baseman Masahiko Morino scored two more runs for Rakuten's victory.
Tigers 3, Lions 1
At Koshien Stadium, Makoto Imaoka hit a two-run drive and Shinjiro Hiyama went deep in the next at-bat as Hanshin came from behind to snap a four-game skid with a win over Seibu.
Buffaloes at Swallows — ppd.
Fighters at Baystars — ppd.