It took until June, but Shun Yamaguchi's debut as a Yomiuri Giant made the wait seem almost worth it, as the right-hander threw six no-hit innings in Wednesday's 3-0 interleague win over the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.

Of the three players who signed with Yomiuri over the winter after filing for free agency, Yamaguchi was the last to get in a game. The former Yokohama BayStars hurler had good drop on his splitter, but worked extra carefully against the Hawks' most dangerous hitters.

Yamaguchi, who had felt discomfort in his right shoulder since the end of last season and didn't throw batting practice this year until the end of April, was pulled after 102 pitches. He struck out eight and walked four.