Hisanori Takahashi pitched seven effective innings on two-run ball and two relievers got the job done Thursday as the Yomiuri Giants beat the Yokohama BayStars 4-2 to retake first place in the Central League standings.
Yomiuri outfielder Yoshinobu Takahashi sets a Japanese pro baseball record for the most leadoff home runs as he hits his ninth career leadoff shot in the bottom of the first inning against Yokohama at Tokyo Dome on Thursday. The Giants won 4-2.
KYODO PHOTOTakahashi (11-2) scattered eight hits, striking out seven and walking three and currently leads the league in wins. Kiyoshi Toyoda pitched a scoreless eighth and Koji Uehara closed out the ninth for his 15th save. Matt White (0-1) took the loss.