Wladimir Balentien knocked in a pair of home runs, helping 21-year-old starter Keiji Takahashi pick up his first professional win as the Tokyo Yakult Swallows edged the Yokohama BayStars 3-2 on Tuesday night.
The result in front of 28,328 at Jingu Stadium erased Yokohama's half-game lead over the Yomiuri Giants in the race for third place and a berth in the Central League Climax Series.
Slugger Balentien gave the Swallows the lead in the second with his 35th homer of the season, a two-run shot off BayStars starter Kentaro Taira.