Veteran left-hander Kimiyasu Kudo went seven-plus strong innings Friday and Hiroki Kokubo belted two home runs as the Yomiuri Giants edged the Hiroshima Carp 4-3.
Kudo struck out 12 batters and gave up three runs on eight hits in 7 2/3 innings, setting a record for the oldest pitcher -- at 40 years and 11 months -- to strike out over 10 batters in a single game.
Hideki Okajima retired the side in the ninth for the save as the Giants improved to 11-12 on the season.