Hiroto Takahashi, a member of Japan's 2023 World Baseball Classic team, threw seven dominant innings as the Chunichi Dragons edged the Hiroshima Carp 1-0 on Friday.
Takahashi (4-0) struck out seven and allowed just four hits, all singles, without a walk at Vantelin Dome Nagoya. Orlando Calixte homered in the third inning off Hiroki Tokoda (7-4).
The Carp had runners on second and third with one out in the seventh, but Takahashi escaped the jam with the help of shortstop Kaito Muramatsu, who threw out the runner trying to score from third on a one-out grounder.
Dragons closer Raidel Martinez picked up his Japanese baseball-leading 21st save.
Among Friday's other games, Carter Stewart Jr. (2-2) got the win after pitching five effective innings in the SoftBank Hawks' 9-4 victory over the Lotte Marines.
