Second-year right-hander Juri Hara outpitched Takahiro Norimoto to lead the Tokyo Yakult Swallows to a 6-2 interleague win over the Pacific League-leading Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles on Thursday.
The 23-year-old Hara (2-3) pitched his first career complete game, holding the Eagles to two runs on four hits at Jingu Stadium. Hara, the Swallows' top draft pick in 2015, struck out six without issuing a walk.
Norimoto (8-2) entered the game looking to extend his record streak of eight consecutive games with 10-plus strikeouts, but fanned eight over seven innings. The 26-year-old Norimoto, a three-time PL strikeout leader, allowed four runs — two earned — on seven hits and a walk.