Kazuyuki Hoashi essentially replaced Toshiya Sugiuchi last season when he joined the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks and Sugiuchi left to suit up for the Yomiuri Giants.
After a frustrating first season in Fukuoka, Hoashi turned in his best performance in a Hawks uniform on Tuesday with Sugiuchi watching from the opposing dugout.
Hoashi threw six scoreless innings and Yuki Yoshimura put the game on ice with a three-run home run in the seventh to help the Hawks earn a 5-0 win over Sugiuchi and the Giants in front of a crowd of 45,231 at Tokyo Dome.