Masanori Ishikawa held Yomiuri to two runs over 7-2/3 innings as the Tokyo Yakult Swallows won 5-2 on Tuesday, moving into second and within a game of the Giants in the Central League.

The Swallows staked Ishikawa (8-9) to a five-run lead by the fifth, with the southpaw not allowing a hit until the sixth. Ishikawa gave up a solo home run to Shinnosuke Abe in the seventh and a sac fly to Yoshiyuki Kamei in the eighth before calling it a night.

"I drove myself from the off, thinking of going as far as I can," said Ishikawa, who allowed four hits, struck out four and walked two. "(Catcher) Yuhei Nakamura called a good game, which allowed me to pitch comfortably."