CHIBA — The Tokyo Yakult Swallows came into Saturday's interleague matchup in the Central League cellar, while the Chiba Lotte Marines entered atop the Pacific League. None of that accounted for much over the next three hours.
Behind a Masakazu Fukukawa home run, a squeeze bunt and some timely hitting Yakult came out on top 3-2 against the PL's best Saturday at Chiba Marine Stadium.
Yakult starter Shohei Tateyama (2-2) was strong over 6 2/3 innings to pick up the win.