Kosuke Fukudome went 3-for-4 and drove in a run, improving his average to .337 to overtake batting title rival Hideki Matsui of the Yomiuri Giants as the Chunichi Dragons beat the Hiroshima Carp 9-5 at Hiroshima Stadium on Thursday night.

Hirokazu Ibata singled in the tie-breaking run in the second inning. Fukudome hit an RBI single in the five-run sixth inning.

Marines 3, Fighters 1
Nathan Minchey gave up one run on seven hits with no walks over eight-plus innings, carrying Lotte past Nippon Ham at Chiba Marine Stadium.