Tokyo Yakult Swallows slugger Kazuhiro Hatakeyama delivered a tiebreaking three-run homer in the fifth inning as the Central League came from behind to beat the Pacific League 9-4 in the first Japanese All-Star game on Friday.
Central League-home run leader Wladimir Balentien added a two-run shot and Hisayoshi Chono a solo blast against Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters lefty Masaru Takeda to break open the game in the eight-run frame at Nagoya Dome.
"I had a good feeling in the at-bat and I finally got the hit I was looking for," said game MVP Hatakeyama after taking Takeda for a ride over the left-field wall for a 6-3 lead.