Shintaro Fujinami threw a three-hit shutout for the Central League-leading Hanshin Tigers in a 9-0 win over the Tokyo Yakult Swallows on Friday.
Before 42,411 in the Tigers' first game at Koshien Stadium home since a 5-0 loss to the Swallows on Aug. 2, Fujinami (11-6) allowed three singles and a walk, while striking out eight. Each year, the Tigers are unable to play at Koshien for the bulk of August, when the National Summer High School Championship is held there.
"The fielders made some good plays behind me, put the first run on the board and then delivered the knockout punch," Fujinami said. "Overall my balance was good tonight, and my fastball had good run to it. That being said, I think my pitching could have been a little more solid."