Kazuto Taguchi held the Yokohama BayStars to a run on two hits over 7-2/3 innings and won his third straight start as the Yomiuri Giants secured a 5-2 victory in the Central League on Wednesday.
The 20-year-old Taguchi (8-6), who had his first career shutout a week ago against the Chunichi Dragons, fanned seven and was pulled after issuing his fourth and final walk with his team leading 5-0. Reliever Seiji Tahara entered and surrendered a two-run home run to Toshiro Miyazaki.
Taguchi, who was the CL's pitcher of the month for July, has not lost since June 28, while the Giants' win lifted them to within 4-1/2 games of the first-place Hiroshima Carp.