CHIBA -- With a little help from his new Hanshin Tigers teammates, Hideki Irabu made a triumphant return to his old stomping grounds.

News photoTomoaki Kanemoto of the Hanshin Tigers (right) smiles as he walks past teammate Hideki Irabu after hitting a solo home run at Chiba Marine Stadium in Game 2 of the 2003 All-Star Series.

Hanshin slugger Tomoaki Kanemoto belted two homers and teammate George Arias added a solo shot as the Central League beat the Pacific League 5-3 Wednesday night at Chiba Marine Stadium, thereby clinching the 2003 All-Star Series.