Chunichi Dragons reliever Takuya Asao gave up an earned run against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows during the eighth inning of Thursday's game at Nagoya Dome.
After allowing four all of last season, Asao has given up four earned runs — five overall — this year.
Asao has been solid for the Dragons thus far, but hasn't been the dominant presence he was last season, when he struck out 100 batters, allowed no home runs and posted a 0.41 ERA over 87⅓ innings en route to winning the Central League MVP Award.