Hiroyuki Nakajima hit a three-run homer off Kazumi Saito in a four-run fourth inning and the Seibu Lions went on to score five more runs against the Daiei Hawks in the fifth for a 12-2 victory Tuesday, claiming the top spot in the Pacific League standings for the first time since June 11.
Daisuke Matsuzaka (7-5) held the home team to a run and four hits in five innings while striking out six for the win. Matsuzaka, who was deactivated in late May due to a lower back pain, left the mound after complaining of a strain in his back.
Marines 2, BlueWave 0
At Chiba Marine Stadium, Naoyuki Shimizu outdueled Hidetaka Kawagoe and pitched his second complete game shutout this season, lifting Lotte to a victory over Orix.