The Yomiuri Giants were at a one-game disadvantage before the first pitch was even thrown in the Central League Climax Series final stage.

So there was little time to waste once the balls actually started flying for real.

Hayato Sakamoto hit a come-from-behind two run home run in the fifth and Leslie Anderson knocked in a pair of insurance runs in the sixth as the Giants beat the Swallows 4-1 in Game 1 of the final stage on Wednesday night at Jingu Stadium.