Yokohama BayStars manager Alex Ramirez knew his team was going to need a big performance in order to slow down the streaking Chunichi Dragons and their star pitcher Yuya Yanagi.
With BayStars starter Kentaro Taira leading the way, Ramirez's club delivered.
Taira (2-2) threw six shutout innings, Jose Lopez hit a three-run homer in the opening frame and the BayStars cooled off the red-hot Chunichi Dragons with a 3-2 victory in front of 31,699 at Yokohama Stadium on Friday night.