A three-run error triggered a seven-run inning and sparked the fourth-place Hiroshima Carp to an 11-7 win over the Central League-leading Tokyo Yakult Swallows that threw the pennant race into confusion on Thursday.
Hiroshima's win at Jingu Stadium kept its slim playoff hopes alive and threw a lifeline to the second-place Hanshin Tigers, whose pennant prospects looked all but over last weekend.
The Carp trailed 6-3 in the seventh, but were threatening with two on and no outs against lefty Kazuto Taguchi (5-9). Swallows center fielder Yasutaka Shiomi charged a hard smash up the middle from rookie Koki Ugusa but failed to stop it. The ball rolled to the warning track allowing both base runners and Ugusa to score and tie the game.