Taiga Egoshi played a starring role as the Hanshin Tigers came from behind to remain tied with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows for first place in the Central League with a 3-2 victory over the Chunichi Dragons on Wednesday.
Egoshi's solo shot off Shinji Tajima tied the game 2-2 in the seventh, and the 22-year-old's RBI double off Katsuki Matayoshi (5-4) in the ninth handed Hashin the decisive lead.
"I only had fastball in my mind for the home run, and breaking ball for the one in the ninth. The outfielders were defending shallow and fortunately the ball went over them," said Egoshi, who struck both blasts on the first pitch.