Daiki Enokida got his first chance to face his former club and helped pitch the Seibu Lions to a 10-5 interleague win over the Hanshin Tigers on Sunday.
Enokida (5-1) struck out five and allowed three runs over seven innings at MetLife Dome, while right-hander Shintaro Fujinami (0-2) got into early trouble that proved irrecoverable for Hanshin relievers.
The 31-year-old Enokida, traded to Seibu by the Tigers in March, said playing against his old teammates and in front of Hanshin fans motivated him towards his fifth win.