Lefty Chris Narveson overcame a shaky to start to go eight innings and pitch the Yakult Swallows past the Central League-leading Yomiuri Giants 2-1 on Wednesday.

Narveson (4-8) walked three of the first five batters he faced but found his rhythm and, with the help of a pair of solid plays from second baseman Tetsuto Yamada, held the Giants to without a hit through seven innings. He allowed a run on two hits and four walks over eight innings, while striking out four as he mixed up his curve and changeup with an occasional fastball.

"To be honest I didn't feel very good to start off, but as the game went along I felt like I kind of found my groove and finished strong," said Narveson.