TOKOROZAWA, Saitama Pref. — Against the Pacific League leader's gorgeous offensive lineup, a group whose big bats usually score a lot of runs, there was no way the Tokyo Yakult Swallows could've countered with the same force.

But the Swallows were still able to come up with just enough runs to finish the game with more points than their opponents.

Outfielder Kazuki Fukuchi, catcher Atsushi Kinugawa and designated hitter Kazuhiro Hatakeyama stepped up for Yakult, leading the Central League side to a 5-4 victory over the Saitama Seibu Lions in their first interleague game at Seibu Dome on Wednesday.