Chihiro Kaneko had his best effort of the season on Monday afternoon as the Orix Buffaloes returned from the All-Star break with a 2-0 win over the Seibu Lions.

Before 26,073 at Kyocera Dome, Kaneko (4-4) got a lot of mileage out of his breaking pitches to outduel fellow right-hander Takayuki Kishi in a battle of aces. The two had been slated to face each other on Opening Day at Seibu Prince Dome, but neither made it due to injury.

Kaneko allowed four hits and a walk in seven scoreless innings, while issuing one walk and striking out seven. He had thrown seven scoreless innings against the Chunichi Dragons on June 6, but had allowed nine hits in that game.