Ken Togame yielded one run and three hits over nine innings and got a boost from his teammates as the Seibu Lions romped 5-1 over the Yomiuri Giants in interleague play on Sunday.
The Lions played their hearts out in the matinee in dedication to farm team director and former catcher and coach Katsuya Soma, who died earlier the same morning at the age of 50. Yomiuri lost five in a row for the first time this season and slipped into second place in the Central League.
"Today winning was very important to us," said Lions manager Hisanobu Watanabe after Seibu won its fifth straight. "I am very satisfied with how our team played. Everyone rallied together for the win."