Yuki Nishi pitched six innings, and Fumihito Haraguchi homered and drove in four runs to lead the Hanshin Tigers past the Chunichi Dragons 9-4 on Thursday and into first place in the Central League.
Nishi (1-1), who also singled in a run at Vantelin Dome Nagoya, allowed 10 hits but no walks. Haraguchi, typically the Tigers' top power hitter off the bench, started at first and drove in the game's first run in the Tigers' two-run first.
With the defending Japan Series champs leading 6-2 in the sixth, Haraguchi blasted his first homer of the season off reliever Akira Neo, a former top draft pick as a shortstop who has transitioned to the mound.
The Tigers began the day a half-game back of the idle Yomiuri Giants and moved ahead of them based on winning percentage.
