Tsuyoshi Sugano and Seiya Inoue both hit two-run first-inning home runs and right-hander Atsuki Taneichi allowed three runs over six innings to earn the win as the Chiba Lotte Marines held off the Saitama Seibu Lions 6-4 in the Pacific League on Saturday.
The Marines rocked Lions starting pitcher Wataru Matsumoto (0-2) for six runs, five earned, over four innings at Chiba's Zozo Marine Stadium, while Taneichi (1-1) struck out 10, while scattering seven hits, two walks and two hit batsmen.
Two Lions runners reached in the top of the first, but Sosuke Genda was caught stealing to help ease that danger, and Taneichi got slugger Hotaka Yamakawa to ground out and end the inning.