CHIBA, Japan (Kyodo) — Neftali Soto homered for the second time in three games to spark the Lotte Marines to an 8-1 win over the Seibu Lions in the Pacific League on Monday.
The Puerto Rican slugger broke the ice with his two-run blast deep to right off Seibu starter Kona Takahashi (0-3) at the bottom of the first at Zozo Marine Stadium.
“I got hold of it nicely. I was glad we could take an early lead,” said Soto, who joined Lotte this season after six years with the DeNA BayStars in the Central League.
He swung for the fences again in the third and fifth innings, but saw both efforts caught in the outfield after flying into a powerful headwind.
“I really thought those were also home runs, but the wind got in the way. But for now, I’m happy I got one,” Soto said.
Hiromi Oka extended the Marines’ lead with his first home run of the season, a three-run shot in the eighth. He had four RBIs in a 2-for-4 outing.
Lotte starter Atsuki Taneichi (2-3) struck out six and restricted the Lions to three hits over seven scoreless innings as the Marines got back to .500 with their third straight win.
