Takashi Toritani drove in the tiebreaking run on a two-out single in the seventh inning as the Hanshin Tigers staved off the Chunichi Dragons in a 4-3 win in the Central League on Thursday.
Toritani had a two-run homer in the opening frame against Takuya Asao (1-2) and singled in the seventh followed by Tomoaki Kanemoto's RBI double to make it 4-2 at Koshien Stadium.
Scott Atchison (1-0) got the win in relief and closer Kyuji Fujikawa worked the ninth for his second save. Hanshin was winless in its last five games, including one tie.