Takahiro Arai delivered a sixth-inning tiebreaking single and Craig Brazell homered twice as the Hanshin Tigers beat the Yokohama BayStars 5-2 on Tuesday to move into sole possession of first place for the first time since May 2.
Jason Standridge (7-1) tossed one-run ball over seven innings in an 11-strikeout effort for the Central League frontrunner, kicking off the second half of the season following the All-Star break.
Arai's single made it 2-1 and Kenji Johjima added a two-run single in the sixth at Koshien Stadium. Stephen Randolph (2-9) took the loss for Yokohama, which dropped its fourth game in a row.