Yoshio Itoi hit three home runs to power the Orix Buffaloes to a 5-1 win over the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters on Thursday.
Itoi led off with a solo homer into the right stands at Sapporo Dome in the first inning and blasted a two-run home run in the second to give Orix a 4-0 lead. He added a solo shot in the seventh.
"I've long been the leadoff man so I was intent on hitting (a home run) on the first pitch," said Itoi, who hit three homers in one game for the first time.