Jason Standridge pitched a shutout and Takahiro Arai homered for the third consecutive game as the Hanshin Tigers whipped the Yomiuri Giants 5-0 on Tuesday evening at Tokyo Dome.
Standridge (3-2) worked quickly to win his third straight decision in 2 hours, 25 minutes. The 34-year-old, who pitched in the majors for Tampa Bay, Texas, Cincinnati and Kansas City, surrendered six hits and struck out five without issuing a walk as the Tigers closed to within 3 1/2 games of the Central League-leading Giants.
Yomiuri lefty Toshiya Sugiuchi (3-1) allowed three home runs for the first time since July 30, 2006, when he was pitching for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks against the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters at Tokyo Dome. He gave up five runs on four hits and a walk over eight innings.