Maru hits for cycle as Giants demolish Swallows

TOKYO – Yoshihiro Maru hit for the cycle for the first time as the Yomiuri Giants routed the Yakult Swallows 15-2 in the Central League on Tuesday.

The 36-year-old right fielder hit a two-run home run in the first inning at Jingu Stadium before singling in the third, doubling in the fifth and tripling in a run in the seventh to become the 72nd player to achieve the feat in Nippon Professional Baseball history.

“I can’t believe I’ve managed to pull it off at this age,” said the veteran after going 4-for-4 with a walk.

Giants starter Shosei Togo (4-7) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk over eight innings to earn the win. Richard Sunagawa plated six runs, including a grand slam in the sixth, and Raito Nakayama four runs after both went 4-for-5.

Swallows starter Peter Lambert (3-8) was pummeled for eight runs on 13 hits over 4-1/3 innings and reliever Shota Maruyama gave up five runs.

Among other action, the Nippon Ham Fighters scored three runs in the ninth to walk off 6-5 winners against the Orix Buffaloes in the Pacific League.