Kosuke Tanaka hit his first career home run and fellow rookie Daichi Osera (2-1) allowed two runs in eight innings on Thursday as the Central League-leading Hiroshima Carp defeated the injury-plagued Tokyo Yakult Swallows 9-2.
Tanaka, Hiroshima's third-round draft pick last autumn, overturned a 1-0 Swallows lead in the second, when the Carp shortstop blasted a three-run homer at Jingu Stadium off Swallows right-hander Masato Furuno (0-2).
"I fell behind early in the count but I found a way," Tanaka said of his drive that landed just fair in the right-field stands. "The way it left the bat it was unclear whether it would make it, but I'm glad it did. I think the wind helped it a bit."