Yuya Sakamoto of the DeNA BayStars pitches during a Central League game against the Hanshin Tigers on Aug. 19, 2021, at Tokyo Dome. (Kyodo)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Masayuki Kuwahara made a big catch in center field as the DeNA BayStars came up big in a 5-4 win over the Central League-leading Hanshin Tigers on Thursday.

       Starting pitcher Yuya Sakamoto (4-2) allowed two runs over six innings on four hits and a hit batsman while striking out five. The lefty allowed the Tigers to tie it 2-2 in the fifth as Mel Rojas Jr. doubled in a run and scored on a wild pitch.

       "I pitched well in my last game before the Olympic break, but I still worked hard during my time off to ensure I could keep the pace after the break," Sakamoto said.

       The BayStars, hosting the series at Tokyo Dome because their home park, Yokohama Stadium, is not yet available after being used during the Tokyo Olympics, took the lead for good in the home half.

       With two on and two out against Tigers starter Shintaro Fujinami (3-3), Tigers outfielder Koji Chikamoto tried to make a diving catch on Tatsuhiro Shibata's line drive to shallow center. He missed and the ball got through him for a two-run double.

       The Tigers made it a one-run game in the seventh against reliever Edwin Escobar but could have had more. With one on and no outs, Kuwahara robbed Rojas of a single with a diving catch, limiting the damage to a run.

       The BayStars took a 5-3 lead into the ninth, but rookie Teruaki Sato scored his third run by opening the inning with his 23rd home run off closer Kazuki Mishima. Rojas followed with a drive to the wall, but was again robbed, this time in right as substitute outfielder Taishi Kusumoto made the grab against the wall.

       The out allowed Mishima to hang on and record his 17th save.

       The Tigers' loss left them 1-1/2 games ahead of the second-place Yomiuri Giants, with the Yakult Swallows another 1-1/2 games back in third.

       At Vantelin Dome Nagoya, Daichi Osera (5-3) worked seven scoreless innings to outduel lefty Yudai Ono (3-8) in the Hiroshima Carp's 3-1 win over the Chunichi Dragons.

       At Chiba's Zozo Marine Stadium, Toshiya Sato's two-run eighth-inning single pulled the Lotte Marines even with the Seibu Lions before their game finished in a 3-3 tie. The Marines remained fourth in the Pacific League, a half game back of the third-place SoftBank Hawks, and four back of the league-leading Orix Buffaloes.

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