Gregory Polanco, who played eight seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates, powered the Pacific League's Lotte Marines to a 4-1 win over the Rakuten Eagles with a pair of two-run home runs.
Polanco, who tied for the PL home run lead last season, opened the scoring at Zozo Marine Stadium with a first-inning homer off veteran right-hander Takayuki Kishi (2-7).
"I wasn't thinking anything in particular. I was just focused on making good contact," the left-handed-hitting Polanco said of the first-inning homer.
"The second one (to left center in the third) made me really happy because when I hit them there, it's a sign that my batting form is good."
Polanco has hit 59 home runs in his two-plus seasons in Japan but has just nine this season, with home run production way down across the board in both leagues.
Marines right-hander Naoya Masuda worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his 10th save of the season. The 228th of Masuda's career broke Lotte's franchise record of 227, set by Masahide Kobayashi.
Among other games Wednesday, the Central League-leading Hiroshima Carp beat the Yakult Swallows 5-1, while the PL-leading SoftBank Hawks also won 5-1 against the Orix Buffaloes.
