Yomiuri 5, at Chunichi 2

NAGOYA, Japan (Interstat) — Pinch-hitter Yoshihiro Maru lined a three-run double in the top of the ninth inning Tuesday night, breaking a tie and propelling the Yomiuri Giants to a 5-2 victory over the winless Chunichi Dragons at Nagoya Dome. In a game defined by strong starting pitching and missed opportunities, the Giants finally broke through against the Chunichi bullpen in the final frame to secure the series opener before a crowd of 36,645. The contest was a tense, 2-2 deadlock entering the ninth, a product of early solo home runs by the Dragons and a patient, two-run rally by… Read more...