Toshiya Sugiuchi allowed two runs in 7⅓ innings to help the Yomiuri Giants move a game clear at the top of the Central League standings as they beat the Tokyo Yakult Swallows 7-4 on Wednesday.

Sugiuchi (6-4) gave up six hits, while walking two with five strikeouts and had an RBI single himself, picking up his first win in since May 23.

"The team has been on a winning run so I didn't want to stop that. I hadn't won for a while but all I had in my mind was to pitch so the team would win," Sugiuchi said.