Tomoyuki Sugano worked 7-2/3 solid innings and the Yomiuri Giants broke out of a scoring slump in a 7-1 win over the Hiroshima Carp in a clash between the Central League's top two clubs.

Sugano (11-5), who had been sidelined for most of August with inflammation in the middle finger of his throwing hand, allowed one run on five hits and a walk, while striking out eight. The second-year right-hander has won both of his starts since returning to duty on Sept. 10. The Giants' win at Mazda Stadium left them leading the second-place Carp by five games and the third-place Hanshin Tigers by 7-1/2.

With the Giants trailing by a run in the sixth inning, Hisayoshi Chono reached on a leadoff double and scored on Hayato Sakamoto's one-out double, snapping Yomiuri's 23-inning scoreless streak. After a groundout moved Sakamoto to third, Leslie Anderson drew a walk off reliever Ren Nakata and stole second.