Yomiuri 4, at Hanshin 3

OSAKA, Japan (Interstat) — Bobby Dalbec’s first-inning blast provided all the necessary cushion, and the Yomiuri Giants weathered a late push to edge the Hanshin Tigers 4-3 on Thursday night at a sold-out Osaka Dome, securing a pivotal series victory over their Central League rivals. A crowd of 42,601 saw the Giants strike immediately against Hanshin starter Easton Lucas. Leadoff hitter Go Matsumoto and Shunsuke Sasaki worked back-to-back walks to open the game. After a flyout, Dalbec stepped in. Mired in a 1-for-15 slump over his previous four games, the Yomiuri third baseman crushed a Lucas offering deep to left… Read more...