Toshiya Sugiuchi pitched five innings of two-run ball, Hayato Sakamoto hit a three-run homer and the Yomiuri Giants routed the Hiroshima Carp 9-4 to get off to a flying start in the series opener on Tuesday night.
The Central League leaders, who are 8-9 with one tie against the second-place Carp this season, moved two games clear of their rivals in the standings. Yusuke Nomura (6-6) was chased after allowing six runs in 4-2/3 innings of the loss.
Sugiuchi (8-5) scattered eight hits, struck out four and walked two en route to earning his first win since July 12. Despite Hiroshima's defeat, Rainel Rosario got a big ovation from a crowd of 24,786 at Nagano Olympic Stadium after hitting for the cycle.