The old rivalry is back on center stage.

Central League
WonLostTiedPct.GBHanshin 20 11 1 .645 -Yomiuri 20 13 0 .606 1.0Yakult 17 15 0 .531 3.5Hiroshima 14 14 1 .500 4.5Chunichi 14 17 1 .452 6.0Yokohama 7 22 1 .241 12.0Pacific League
WonLostTiedPct.GBSeibu 19 11 1 .633 -Daiei 19 12 1 .613 0.5Nippon Ham 17 16 0 .515 3.5Kintetsu 14 16 1 .467 5.0Orix 14 17 0 .452 5.5Lotte 9 20 1 .310 9.5

In a battle for the Central League's leading position, the Hanshin Tigers drew first blood in the three-game series against their archrival the Yomiuri Giants, with a 7-2 triumph Friday night at the Tokyo Dome.