Hisayoshi Chono belted a pinch-hit three-run homer in the eighth inning as the Yomiuri Giants beat the Hanshin Tigers 8-4 Wednesday for their third straight victory.
The veteran outfielder broke open a one-run game with his first home run since returning to the Giants this season from the Hiroshima Carp after Adam Walker and Louis Okoye got on base at Koshien Stadium.
"I hit a home run here at Koshien, and that's the best thing," Chono said. "I've been stepping up to the plate in clutch situations, but to be honest, I want to do so in less-pressure situations."
Kazuma Okamoto hit a pair of RBI singles to help Yomiuri build an early 5-0 lead against Yuki Nishi (1-2).
Shosei Togo (3-1) got the win after allowing four runs in 6-1/3 innings. Three Giants relievers held the Tigers hitless the rest of the way.
In other Central League action, Yasutaka Tobashira hit a tiebreaking three-run home run in the seventh inning to lead the DeNA BayStars over the Yakult Swallows 5-2, while the Chunichi Dragons defeated the Carp 6-3.
In the Pacific League, the SoftBank Hawks ended their losing streak at five games with a 4-2 win over the Rakuten Eagles.
The Lotte Marines edged the Seibu Lions 2-1 while the Nippon Ham Fighters beat the Orix Buffaloes 6-3.
