Lin Wei-zhu hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the fourth inning and three relievers combined for four scoreless innings as the Hanshin Tigers edged the Chunichi Dragons 2-1 to snap an eight-game losing streak Friday.
Fighters outfielder Hichori Morimoto (center) reacts in the dugout after hitting a go-ahead triple in the
third inning against the Seibu Lions at Goodwill Dome on Friday. Hokkaido Nippon Ham won 11-7.
KYODO PHOTOThe Taiwanese slugger homered to right off Kenichi Nakata (13-8) after Chunichi scored in the top half of the inning on a Masahiko Morino RBI groundout at Koshien Stadium. With Chunichi's loss, the Yomiuri Giants now have a magic number of two to clinch the Central League title.
After rookie right-hander Keiji Uezono (7-5) pitched five innings of one-run ball, Tomoyuki Kubota worked the next two innings, Jeff Williams threw the eighth and Kyuji Fujikawa finished for his CL-leading 44th save.
Chunichi had runners in scoring positions in the seventh and eighth but failed to score.
BayStars 2, Swallows 0
At Yokohama Stadium, Shuichi Murata hit a pair of solo homers and Hayato Terahara pitched his first shutout since July 16 last year as Yokohama beat Tokyo Yakult for its fourth straight victory.
Murata connected off Ryo Kawashima (4-2) in the second and fourth innings to match his career high with 32 home runs. Terahara (11-12) struck out 10 and allowed just three hits — all singles — with no walks.
Seiichi Uchikawa and Takuro Ishii each had two hits for Yokohama.
PACIFIC LEAGUE
Marines 2, Hawks 1
Fighters 11, Lions 7