The Yomiuri Giants, 18-9 against Hanshin last season, continued their mastery over the Tigers as the defending Japan Series champions powered their way to a 17-3 victory over the Tigers at the Tokyo Dome on Friday night in the opening day of regular-season action for the Central League clubs.
Yomiuri starter Koji Uehara, pitching his second straight season opener, was too much for the Tigers as he struck out six over seven solid innings and limited Hanshin to three runs on six hits for the win.
But it was Yomiuri rookie Shinnosuke Abe who stole the show.