Yoshinobu Takahashi hit a grand slam Saturday to lead the Yomiuri Giants to a 6-4 win over the Chiba Lotte Marines in a preseason game. Takahashi's blast at Kamoike Stadium spoiled the preseason debut of Lotte manager Bobby Valentine, who is back for his second stint with the Marines. In other games, the Yakult Swallows pounded the Yokohama BayStars 9-4, the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters blanked the Chunichi Dragons 4-0, the Hanshin Tigers beat the Orix BlueWave 9-5, and the Hiroshima Carp edged the Seibu Lions 4-3.

(The Associated Press)