Kyohei Muranaka allowed one unearned run over eight sharp innings, Wladimir Balentien homered, and the Tokyo Yakult Swallows turned a close game into an 8-1 rout of the Hanshin Tigers to clinch the three-game series on Thursday night.
Muranaka (1-2), who returned to the top team earlier this month after being sidelined with back pain, won his first decision of the season in his fourth start. He struck out six and walked one at Koshien Stadium.
"My teammates scored for me in the opening inning, so I was able to throw strikes," said Muranaka. "I had trouble only really in the first, but (catcher Yuhei) Nakamura gave some good signs and I was able to pitch well without letting that many runners on."