SENDAI, Japan (AP) Jose Lopez went 2-for-3 with three runs batted in on Saturday as the Yomiuri Giants beat Masahiro Tanaka and the Rakuten Eagles 4-2 to force a decisive Game 7 in the Japan Series.
Lopez hit a game-tying two-run homer in the top of the fifth inning before Yoshinobu Takahashi drove in the go-ahead run on a single to center field. Lopez then drove in another run in the sixth inning on a grounder to third to make it 4-2.
The Giants handed Tanaka his first loss since Aug. 19, 2012.
Yomiuri starter Tomoyuki Sugano picked up the win after holding the Eagles to two runs on three hits over seven innings. Tanaka took the loss after giving up four runs on 11 hits over the distance.
Game 7 will be on Sunday in Sendai.
