InsideJapan News Network

The Softbank Hawks recorded a valuable 4-2 home victory over Pacific League rivals Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters yesterday (May 8th), to go joint top of the baseball division.

Rookie pitcher Yuki Saito, who was making only his fourth start from the Hokkaido team, had to be replaced after the first inning due to abdomen pains, Kyodo News reported.

The home team had better luck with their pitcher, as Tadashi Settsu held the visitors to just seven hits and two runs over seven innings.

However, Settsu did concede a homerun to slugger Micah Hoffpauir, who made his seventh homer of the season, the best record in the league.

Meanwhile, in the Central League, Hiroshima Toyo Carp drew with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows for the second time this season.

The 3-3 tie left the two teams neck-and-neck at the top of the league, after some wild pitching by Hiroshima's Tomohiro Umetsu.

Written by Mark Smith