Mototsugu Kawanaka homered as the Yomiuri Giants erupted for five runs in the third inning en route to a 10-4 triumph over the Hanshin Tigers in a preseason game Monday.
Giants rookie right-hander Yuya Kubo allowed one run on six hits in four innings. Kawanaka belted a two-run shot in a three-run second off starter Keiichi Yabu, who was saddled with his first loss of the preseason after surrendering eight runs in three innings.
Shinnosuke Abe, Yoshinori Murata and Ichiro Horita each drove in runs for the Giants.