Lions' Nakajima tagged out in Game 1 of All-Star series

Lions' Nakajima tagged out in Game 1 of All-Star series

SAPPORO, Japan - Seibu Lions' Hiroyuki Nakajima is tagged out at home, failing to score from third on a sacrifice fly by Nippon Ham Fighters' Tomohiro Nioka in the sixth inning of Game 1 of the two-game All-Star series between the Central and Pacific leagues at Sapporo Dome on July 24. The Central League won 10-8.

Yomiuri's Nioka marks 1,000th career hits

Yomiuri's Nioka marks 1,000th career hits

TOKOROZAWA, Japan - Yomiuri Giants infielder Tomohiro Nioka waves to the fans after achieving his 1,000th career hit with a three-run homer off Seibu Lions hurler Satoshi Yamazaki in the fifth inning at Goodwill Dome on June 2.

Yomiuri's Nioka marks 1,000th career hits

Yomiuri's Nioka marks 1,000th career hits

TOKOROZAWA, Japan - Yomiuri Giants infielder Tomohiro Nioka waves to the fans after achieving his 1,000th career hit with a three-run homer off Seibu Lions hurler Satoshi Yamazaki in the fifth inning at Goodwill Dome on June 2.

Nioka hits solo homer

Nioka hits solo homer

TOKYO, Japan - Yomiuri Giants infielder Tomohiro Nioka joins starter Kentaro Nishimura in celebration after hitting a solo homer off Softbank Hawks starter Tsuyoshi Wada in the fifth inning at Dokyo Dome on May 17. Yomiuri blanked Softbank 4-0.

Nioka hits go-ahead solo homer

Nioka hits go-ahead solo homer

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Yomiuri Giants infielder Tomohiro Nioka hits a go-ahead solo homer off Hiuroshima Carp starter Sean Douglas in top of the first inning a Hiroshima Stadium on April 25. Yomiuri starter Jeremy Powell wend the distance to allow a run in the team's 3-1 win over Hiroshima.

Yomiuri's Nioka gets 90 mil. yen pay raise

Yomiuri's Nioka gets 90 mil. yen pay raise

TOKYO, Japan - Yomiuri Giants infielder Tomohiro Nioka poses for a photograph at a press conference on Dec. 19 after re-signing with the Central League club for an annual salary of 170 million yen, a pay increase of 90 million yen.

Nioka hits go-ahead solo homer

Nioka hits go-ahead solo homer

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Yomiuri Giants infielder Tomohiro Nioka hits a go-ahead solo homer off Hiuroshima Carp starter Sean Douglas in top of the first inning a Hiroshima Stadium on April 25. Yomiuri starter Jeremy Powell wend the distance to allow a run in the team's 3-1 win over Hiroshima. (Kyodo)

Nioka hits solo homer

Nioka hits solo homer

TOKYO, Japan - Yomiuri Giants infielder Tomohiro Nioka joins starter Kentaro Nishimura in celebration after hitting a solo homer off Softbank Hawks starter Tsuyoshi Wada in the fifth inning at Dokyo Dome on May 17. Yomiuri blanked Softbank 4-0. (Kyodo)

Yomiuri's Nioka marks 1,000th career hits

Yomiuri's Nioka marks 1,000th career hits

TOKOROZAWA, Japan - Yomiuri Giants infielder Tomohiro Nioka hits a three-run homer, his 1,000th career hit, off Seibu Lions hurler Satoshi Yamazaki in the fifth inning at Goodwill Dome on June 2. (Kyodo)

Yomiuri's Nioka marks 1,000th career hits

Yomiuri's Nioka marks 1,000th career hits

TOKOROZAWA, Japan - Yomiuri Giants infielder Tomohiro Nioka waves to the fans after achieving his 1,000th career hit with a three-run homer off Seibu Lions hurler Satoshi Yamazaki in the fifth inning at Goodwill Dome on June 2. (Kyodo)

Yomiuri's Nioka gets 90 mil. yen pay raise

Yomiuri's Nioka gets 90 mil. yen pay raise

TOKYO, Japan - Yomiuri Giants infielder Tomohiro Nioka poses for a photograph at a press conference on Dec. 19 after re-signing with the Central League club for an annual salary of 170 million yen, a pay increase of 90 million yen. (Kyodo)