Lions pummel Hawks in HR derby

G.G. Sato and Hiram Bocachica hit two home runs apiece Wednesday night as the Seibu Lions crushed the Softbank Hawks 11-4 at Yahoo Dome.

In the fourth inning, Sato hit a solo homer off Hawks starter Rick Guttormson (1-2). He followed that up with a fifth-inning dinger off reliever Akihiro Yanase that plated three runs.

Bocachica added to the Lions offensive onslaught by homering in the fourth and seventh innings for four RBIs.

Lions starter Hideaki Wakui (4-3) earned his fourth victory, allowing four runs in seven innings.

Pinch hitter Michael Restovich hit a three-run homer in the seventh for the Hawks.

The Rakuten- Orix game at Kleenex Stadium Miyagi was postponed due to rain.

In the Central League, the BayStars defeated the Yomiuri Giants 5-2 at Yokohama Stadium. At Ishikawa Prefectural Stadium, the Hanshin Tigers beat the Hiroshima Carp 4-2.(IHT/Asahi: May 15,2008)