The Pacific League All-Star team provided the offensive fireworks Wednesday in an 8-1 win over the Central League in the first of this year's two Nippon Professional Baseball All-Star games.
SoftBank Hawks outfielder Yuki Yanagita singled in a run in the PL's four-run first inning and blasted a third-inning homer at Vantelin Dome Nagoya and was named the game's MVP honors.
Lotte Marines right-hander Roki Sasaki worked a scoreless first inning to earn the win for the PL, which now holds an 89-80 lead over the CL with 11 ties.
Thursday's Game 2 will be at Hiroshima's Mazda Stadium, with Allen Kuri of the hometown Carp starting for the CL against Orix Buffaloes rookie Shumpeita Yamashita for the PL.
