The Hanshin Tigers started the second half of the season with a one-man, midsummer fireworks show by Ryota Arai who homered twice and drove in six runs during a 12-0 victory over the Tokyo Yakult Swallows on Wednesday.
Arai followed a two-run shot in the opening frame with a grand slam in the seventh as the second-place Tigers kept the pressure on the Central League-leading Yomiuri Giants.
The Swallows did not have much of a chance with Hanshin starter Randy Messenger in top form, improving to 9-4 on the year after fanning 10 and allowing just three hits in seven shutout innings at Jingu Stadium.