Takahiro Matsuba contributed with the bat and the ball Wednesday as the Chunichi Dragons beat the DeNA BayStars 6-1 to extend their surprising Central League lead.
A day after Chunichi took sole possession of first place for the first time since May 10, 2016, Matsuba helped the Dragons to their fifth straight win. The lefty allowed one run over 5-2/3 innings, had two hits and drove in a run at Yokohama Stadium.
Former BayStar Seiya Hosokawa singled in a first-inning run before the bottom of the lineup created a pair of two-run innings, both involving singles by Matsuba.
The pitcher's bunt single loaded the bases in the second, and he singled in a run in the third as the visitors took a commanding lead.
Among other games on Wednesday, the CL's Hiroshima Carp snapped a 37-inning scoreless streak in a 6-2 win over the Hanshin Tigers.
