Luis Cruz drove in two runs, one on a tie-breaking solo homer as the Yomiuri Giants avenged a shutout loss to Hiroki Kuroda by beating the Hiroshima Carp 6-5 in the Central League on Saturday.
With the game tied 5-5 in the bottom of the fifth and his parents in the stands, Cruz went deep to left for his fourth home run of the season. The Giants then held on to the slim lead behind a strong effort from the bullpen. Yomiuri used seven pitchers, with the last five not surrendering a run, and closer Hirokazu Sawamura recording his fourth save.
"I enjoy seeing them enjoy the game. It motivates me a lot. He helps me concentrate," Cruz said of his dad, whom he called the best coach he's ever had. "We were talking yesterday at 1 a.m., watching video (of my hitting). I woke up this morning and felt really good."