Yoshinobu Takahashi and Hisayoshi Chono both homered and Shun Tono held the damage to one run over 6 2/3 innings as the Yomiuri Giants routed the Hanshin Tigers 9-1 to retake the lead in the Central League standings on Thursday.
Takahashi belted a three-run shot in the second inning and Chono went deep with a solo blast, both coming off Yasutomo Kubo (9-5), two innings later for a 6-0 lead at Tokyo Dome.
Tono (12-3) gave up five hits and struck out 11 while walking four and took over the league in wins.