Takahiro Arai drove in four runs in a 10-run first inning as the Hiroshima Carp knocked the Yomiuri Giants out of the Central League lead with a 13-1 rout on Tuesday.
With the game still scoreless in the bottom of the first, Arai batted with one out and two on. After nearly being retired on the first pitch, when a foul pop dropped uncaught, Arai smoked a 1-2 slider from lefty Toshiya Sugiuchi (3-1) into the left-field corner for a two-run lead.
Arai, who had five RBIs in a 3-for-4 outing, added a two-run single in the inning to make the score 10-0. He doubled in Hiroshima's final run in the third.