Hiroshima Carp ace Kenta Maeda allowed a hit in six scoreless innings in a 7-4 win over the Yomiuri Giants on Saturday, denying the defending Japan Series champs a chance to clinch the Central League pennant for at least another day.
Maeda (15-5) struck out eight, walked two and did not allow a hit through five innings. The victory moved him out of a tie for the league lead in wins with Tokyo Yakult Swallows rookie Yasuhiro Ogawa.
Kila Ka'aihue put the Carp on the board with a fourth-inning RBI single, Hiroshima's first hit off lefty Toshiya Sugiuchi. After a lucky single kept the inning alive, Jun Hirose blasted a three-run homer for the visitors.