Left-hander Masanori Ishikawa pitched six-plus innings Tuesday to help the Tokyo Yakult Swallows defeat the Pacific League-leading Seibu Lions 3-1 and extend their interleague lead.
In front of 17,088 at Omiya Park Baseball Stadium, Ishikawa (4-2) gave up a run on three hits and a walk in an 82-pitch effort. He struck out three en route to picking up his 160th career win since joining Yakult in 2002.
The Swallows now have a 10-2 record in interleague play, while the Lions sit in a tie for second place, trailing the leaders by three wins.