Overview

• Hanshin Tigers beat Yomiuri Giants 4-0 in 11 innings on July 19 at Tokyo Dome with Teru Sato’s two-run homer.
• Sato’s 25th-home-run blast in the top of the 11th snapped a scoreless tie and set up Nelson’s shutout-clinching relief outing.
• Yomiuri suffered its third straight loss, eliminating its self-pennant possibility in the Central League.
• Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks defeated Saitama Seibu Lions 7-3 on July 20 at Belluna Dome to notch a fifth consecutive win.
• Nomura’s solo third-inning homer gave SoftBank an early lead and sealed Seibu’s elimination from Pacific League contention.