Captain Hayato Sakamoto erupted for four hits and five RBIs as the Yomiuri Giants blew out the Seibu Lions 11-1 to start the interleague games Tuesday.
Tomoyuki Sugano (6-4) was two outs away from throwing his second straight shutout, but an error by center fielder Takanori Suzuki scored the lone run for Seibu at Koriyama Kaiseizan Stadium.
Sakamoto's two-run home run in the third inning, only his third of the season, off Ken Togame (4-2) put the Giants up 3-0. The shortstop drove in two more runs in the sixth with a two-out single and another run the following inning.