Lefty Takashi Kawai (3-0) threw seven scoreless innings and Ginji Akaminai opened the scoring with a two-run triple on Thursday as the Pacific League-leading Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles defeated the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters 3-0.
The victory in the PL's only game of the day increased the Eagles lead to a franchise-record three games over the Chiba Lotte Marines.
Kawai, who wasn't called up for active duty until June 27, won his third straight start, allowing three hits while striking out five and walking none.