The Yomiuri Giants beat the first-place Hiroshima Carp for just the second time in 12 games this season behind seven shutout innings from Kazuto Taguchi in a 3-0 victory Tuesday.
The Giants ended a four-game skid as Taguchi (7-2) held the Carp to four hits and a walk before passing on the baton to Scott Mathieson and Arquimedes Caminero, who closed out the game at Mazda Stadium to earn his 16th save.
Taguchi lowered his Central League-leading ERA to 2.08 and is tied for most victories at seven with four others, including teammate Tomoyuki Sugano. Taguchi is also second in the league with a .778 winning percentage.