Juri Hara repeatedly pitched out of trouble to work five innings as the Tokyo Yakult Swallows beat the Chunichi Dragons 2-0 on Sunday to guarantee the Central League pennant race would go on at least another day.

The first-place Hiroshima Carp, who started the day with a magic number of two to clinch their third-straight championship, needed to win and have the Swallows lose to wrap up the title over the weekend.

Hara (6-7) allowed eight hits and three walks, but his defense turned four double plays behind him. David Huff, Yugo Umeno and Kazuki Kondo each worked a scoreless inning of relief. Taichi Ishiyama worked the ninth to save his 30th game of the season. Ishiyama had been handed the closer role in May after going four seasons without a save.