Iori Yamasaki pitched his first complete-game shutout of the season to lead the Yomiuri Giants to a 2-0 win against the Chunichi Dragons in the Central League on Tuesday.
The right-hander struck out six, while limiting the Dragons to four hits and a walk, as he outdueled opposing starter Hideaki Wakui at Vantelin Dome Nagoya.
Yamasaki (3-0) showed outstanding control during a 119-pitch outing in which he did not allow a runner past second base.
"I was able to pitch patiently and get one out at a time. I'm really happy," he said.
Makoto Kadowaki broke the ice with an RBI single in the seventh inning before Wakui (2-2) walked Yoshihiro Maru with the bases loaded.
Wakui struck out five over 6-2/3 solid innings but got no support from a Dragons offense kept in check by Yamasaki.
