TOKYO (AP) Brazilian Caio and Yasushi Endo each scored two goals as Kashima Antlers thrashed last-placed Tokushima Vortis 5-0 Saturday to close the gap on J-League leader Urawa Reds.
Shoma Doi also scored for Kashima, which improved to 49 points, four behind Urawa which lost 1-0 to Cerezo Osaka.
Former Germany international Cacau scored in the 68th and Cerezo held on to snap Urawa's four-game winning streak and move into 14th spot in the 18-team table.
Kawasaki Frontale moved into third place on 48 points after a 1-1 draw with Vegalta Sendai.
In other matches, Brazilian Patric scored a hat trick in the second half to lead Gamba Osaka over Sagan Tosu 4-1. FC Tokyo got two goals each from Brazilian Edu and Yoshinori Muto for a 4-0 win over Kashiwa Reysol.