Chunichi Dragons lefty Yudai Ono tossed one-run ball over 6-1/3 innings, drove in the decisive run, and the bullpen did the rest to stave off the Hiroshima Carp in a 2-1 victory on Thursday night.

With second-place Hiroshima's loss and a win by the Central League-leading Yomiuri the same day, the Giants saw their magic number to clinch the pennant reappear at 16. Hiroshima fell four games back out of first.

Carp starter Deunte Heath, who was seeking his third win in Japan, didn't allow a run over five innings but was lifted anyway after issuing five walks at Mazda Stadium.