Naoki Yoshikawa and Makoto Kadowaki may not carry big bats, but the Yomiuri Giants infielders are showing that sometimes the best offense is a good defense.

The Giants lead NPB with 105 home runs — the Tokyo Yakult Swallows are next with 79 — and already have six players in double digits.

Yoshikawa and Kadowaki are not among them, with just eight homers between them, but both have become almost indispensable pieces for manager Tatsunori Hara because of their steady play in the field.