Tadahito Iguchi broke open a tie game with a three-run, bases-loaded double on Thursday and Pacific League-leading Chiba Lotte cruised to a 12-4 victory over the struggling Seibu Lions at QVC Marine Field.
Submarine right-hander Shunsuke Watanabe (4-2) let the Lions score in the first with two hits and a walk, but allowed just two base runners over the next five innings to win his second straight start. Watanabe allowed four runs in 6⅓ innings on seven hits and a walk.
Shunichi Nemoto homered in the bottom of the first to tie it, and the Marines loaded the bases in the second on a leadoff single, a walk and a two-out error. Iguchi doubled on a 2-2 pitch from veteran southpaw Kazuhisa Ishii (6-3), who was lit up for six runs, two earned, in 4⅓ innings.