OSAKA, Japan -- Yoshinobu Takahashi's second homer of the game, a solo shot in the bottom of the ninth, gave the Central League a 4-4 tie with the Pacific League on Tuesday in the opening game of the Japanese All-Star series.

There are no extra innings in Japanese All-Star games.

Takahashi, who had 13 homers in the first half of the season for Yomiuri Giants, also hit a two-run homer in the seventh.

Alex Cabrera of the Seibu Lions had given the Pacific League a 4-1 lead in the sixth with a two-run homer.

George Arias, formerly of the San Diego Padres, hit a leadoff homer in the bottom of the second to give the Central a 1-0 lead.

The final game of the series is Wednesday, with former Yankee Hideki Irabu scheduled to start for the Central League. Naoyuki Shimizu of the Lotte Marines will take the mound for the Pacific.