Wladimir Balentien took another step toward the single-season home run record, while the Tokyo Yakult Swallows dealt a blow to their opponents' Climax Series hopes.
Balentien sent the second pitch he saw from reliever Teruaki Yoshikawa over the wall in left field in the fourth inning, helping the Swallows rout the Yokohama BayStars 8-2 on manager Junji Ogawa's 56th birthday Friday night at Jingu Stadium.
"I told him before the game I was going to give him a home run present," Balentien said.
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