Yomiuri Giants take provisional lead after comeback win over Yakult

The Yomiuri Giants secured a 3-2 comeback victory against the Yakult Swallows at Tokyo Dome, moving into a provisional lead in the Central League standings. The decisive moment came in the 7th inning when Yuta Izumiguchi hit a two-run double with two outs and the bases loaded to overturn a 0-2 deficit.

Reliever Raidel Martinez earned his 40th save of the season, tying him for third place on the all-time list with 252 career saves. The win brings the Giants to a season-high 14 games over .500, placing them at zero games behind the first-place Hanshin Tigers.

In other news, Chunichi Dragons pitcher Yumeto Kanemaru suffered a heartbreaking complete-game loss against the Giants, pitching 8.1 innings before the team failed to score in the 9th. Meanwhile, in the Pacific League, the Orix Buffaloes defeated the Nippon Ham Fighters 9-6.