Yusei Kikuchi threw eight shutout innings as the Seibu Lions beat the Chiba Lotte Marines 6-0 on Saturday to pull a game ahead of them in the battle for the Pacific League's final playoff spot.
Kikuchi (8-8) established his fastball early before wrecking havoc with his other pitches and dominated the game for the first six innings. He left after throwing 105 pitches and allowed six hits and two walks, while striking out four.
"This was a big game for us, so I came out fired up from the first inning," Kikuchi said. "My fastball was good in the early innings, and then I got a lead that made it easier for me."