Daisuke Yamai allowed a run in seven innings for the Chunichi Dragons on Saturday afternoon in a 4-1 win over the Central League-leading Yomiuri Giants.
The Dragons moved to within 4-1/2 games of the Giants behind Yamai (8-2), who set a career high for wins in a season. Chunichi is now one game behind third-place Hiroshima.
Yamai held the Giants to five hits and a walk, while striking out seven. With the Dragons having deactivated Japan's all-time saves leader Hitoki Iwase earlier in the day, the 36-year-old right-hander wanted to go deep into the game at Tokyo Dome.