Rookie Shunta Wakamatsu snapped the Chunichi Dragons' eight-game losing skid with an impressive first career shutout on Sunday as they beat the Central League-leading Yomiuri Giants 5-0.
The right-hander scattered five hits, struck out six and walked two in a 139-pitch outing for his first complete game to halt the Giants' five-game winning streak. The night before, Dragons closer Koji Fukutani blew a two-run lead in the ninth in a 5-4 loss.
"I'm happy with my first shutout but snapping the team's skid is the most pleasing thing. I was pitching high early in the game but I could adjust while playing catch in front of the bench," said Wakamatsu. "I've never gone beyond the seventh inning and I'm a bit tired to be really honest."