Naoyuki Shimizu picked up the win despite giving up four runs and seven hits in 8-1/3 innings.
At Sapporo Dome, Cliff Brumbaugh went 3-for-5 with three RBIs as the Orix Buffaloes downed the Nippon Ham Fighters 6-2.
Jeremy Powell struck out seven and limited the damage to a run and six hits over seven strong innings for his third win in as many starts.
At Fullcast Stadium, Masahiko Kaneda allowed four runs and seven hits in 6-2/3 innings of work for his first win this season as the Rakuten Eagles downed the Seibu Lions 6-4 to snap an 11-game losing streak.
Daisuke Matsuzaka took the loss despite fanning seven in a complete game effort.
Alex Rodriguez seems to be in a constant struggle to be understood. His talent and work ethic are unquestioned, but some people are less sure of his motivations.
The latest example was Friday, when Rodriguez took steps to dissolve a memorabilia company that bears his name after it tried to capitalize on his three-homer game.
Rodriguez, the Yankees' third baseman, became the first player ever to drive in 10 runs in a game at Yankee Stadium in a 12-4 victory over the Angels on Tuesday. By Thursday, a company called A-Rod Authenticated was running radio advertisements for signed baseballs commemorating that performance, with a price of US$399.
Rodriguez said that he never signed any baseballs, and that he was never approached about marketing his performance. He said his feelings about Tuesday's game are "very special and very sincere" and that he would not try to cash in on it.
"It's just not part of what I'm doing," Rodriguez said. "It's upsetting to me that someone would take action before even coming to me, or promote something I had nothing to do with."
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