Tomoyuki Sugano posted his second straight shutout win on Tuesday as the Yomiuri Giants moved within half a game of the Central League-leading Hiroshima Carp, beating them 1-0 after Casey McGehee provided the only run with a solo home run.
Sugano (3-0) allowed four hits and a walk while fanning seven in a 116-pitch outing, coming out on top of a pitching duel against Hiroshima's Yusuke Nomura (1-1).
Right-hander Nomura, who led the CL with 16 wins last season, allowed a run on five hits and three walks over eight innings. He struck out three in a 110-pitch effort.