Rookie Shunta Wakamatsu threw seven shutout innings on four hits and halted the Central League-leading Hanshin Tigers in the Chunichi Dragons' 5-0 win on Sunday.
Wakamatsu (8-3) had an early scare at Nagoya Dome in the opening inning, when he loaded the bases with two singles and a walk with one out, but struck out Mauro Gomez and retired Ryota Imanari with a grounder. The 20-year-old had three perfect innings from the third and only allowed two more singles before he was called off the mound.
"I had a shaky start and worried the fans, but I could make an adjustment, pitching my kind of game and getting them to hit grounders," said Wakamatsu, who struck out seven and walked two in a 99-pitch effort. "I just focused on not giving up the first run."