Yuji Yoshioka belted a three-run homer in the top of the eighth inning Sunday as the Kintetsu Buffaloes crushed the Daiei Hawks 10-4 to prevent the Pacific League leaders from clinching the pennant.
Yoshioka drilled a towering blast into the left field stands at the Fukuoka Dome to give the Buffaloes a comfortable seven-run lead and send the Hawks to their third straight loss.
The Hawks will have to wait until Tuesday for a chance to wrap up their first pennant since 2000 when they travel to Chiba to play the Lotte Marines.