Hiroshima ace Kenta Maeda continued to have the Chunichi Dragons' number on Wednesday, going eight innings in the Carp's 2-0 victory over their closest Central League rivals.

Maeda (12-5) allowed five hits and two walks, while striking out six. He improved to 3-0 against Chunichi this season with no runs allowed in 23 innings. Kam Mickolio pitched a perfect ninth to earn his 22nd save and move the third-place Carp three games clear of the fourth-place Dragons.

Ryosuke Kikuchi opened the scoring in the first after he and Yoshihiro Maru singled with one out to put runners on the corners with one out. Kikuchi scored from third on a wild pitch by Dragons right-hander Kensuke Nakata (4-6).