Giants take series lead

MASAHIRO Kawai drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th inning as the Yomiuri Giants edged the Seibu Lions 2-1 and took a lead of two games to one in the best-of-seven Japan baseball Series.

Kawai hit the decisive fly with the bases loaded and one out before more than 31,000 spectators at Seibu Stadium at the first night game in 30 years in the Japan Series.

The Pacific League champions Lions rapped out 10 hits against four Giants pitchers but wasted some good scoring chances.