Orix lefty Yuji Maeda worked six innings and three relievers completed a three-hit shutout as the Buffaloes defeated the playoff-bound Chiba Lotte Marines 1-0 on Monday.
The loss knocked the Marines into third place just behind the Seibu Lions. The two teams finish the regular season against each other on Tuesday at Seibu Dome, with the right to host the first stage of the Pacific League Climax Series at stake.
Maeda (3-4) gave up two hits and four walks, while striking out five. He escaped his only trouble of the night, when he got out of the second on a double-play ball with the bases loaded.