Takumi Oshiro homered to cap a three-run first inning as the Yomiuri Giants took advantage of tentative pitching from the Hiroshima Carp and never looked back in a 9-4 Central League win on Thursday.
Carp right-hander Kazuki Yabuta (0-1) surrendered a leadoff double to Yoshiyuki Kamei and then avoided challenging hitters in the strike zone. Trailing 1-0 with two outs and one on, he fell behind to Oshiro who drove a 2-1 fastball well back into Mazda Stadium's outfield seats.
Giants starter Cristopher Mercedes (1-2) allowed two runs over six innings to earn the win. The lefty struck out six and walked three.