DeNA BayStars lefty Katsuki Azuma allowed a run over seven innings to win a 2-1 Central League pitcher's duel against the Yomiuri Giants on Friday.
The CL-leading BayStars fell behind early at Tokyo Dome against tough Giants right-hander Shosei Togo but mounted a comeback with single runs in the sixth and seventh before some sharp fielding helped closer Yasuaki Yamasaki earn the save.
"Togo is a really good pitcher, so I was doing everything I possibly could to not give up runs," said Azuma, who was voted the CL's top pitcher last year.
With the game tied 1-1 in the seventh, slugger Shugo Maki singled, stole second and scored on a single by hot-hitting Taiki Sekine, who made one of three big defensive plays that held off the Giants in the ninth.
Among other games Friday, the Chunichi Dragons beat the Hiroshima Carp 1-0 behind seven innings from Yuya Yanagi, while the Lotte Marines beat the defending Pacific League champion Orix Buffaloes by the same score behind a complete game from Kazuya Ojima.
