D.J. Houlton held the Chunichi Dragons to two earned runs over six-plus innings as the Yomiuri Giants won 3-2 Thursday, meaning they could potentially capture their second straight Central League pennant this weekend.
After the second-place Hanshin Tigers lost to the Hiroshima Carp, Yomiuri can now win the league as early as Saturday if the Giants beat the Carp in their next game — or if the Tigers lose to the Yakult Swallows the same day.
Houlton improved to 7-4, allowing Chunichi just four hits — including a two-run home run to Ryosuke Hirata — and a walk while striking out six.