Akihiro Yano hit a game-winning solo homer in the ninth inning as the Central League leading Hanshin Tigers prevailed 3-2 over the Yakult Swallows on Tuesday.
Yano fouled off several pitches by reliever Takehiko Oshimoto (5-5) before homering to straightaway center leading off the inning for the decisive blow at Koshien Stadium. Kuji Fujikawa (5-1) retired three in the top half of the frame for the win.
Hanshin took a 2-0 lead in the first inning but Yakult tied the game on an RBI grounder by Masakazu Fukukawa and pitcher Dicky Gonzalez's run-scoring single in the fifth.