Randy Messenger held the Yokohama BayStars to a run over eight innings as the Hanshin Tigers maintained a foothold at the top of the Central League with a 3-1 win on Sunday.

Messenger (8-10) allowed three hits and struck out 11 without a walk in his 108-pitch outing, giving up just one hit to Yokohama starter Guillermo Moscoso (3-6) through seven innings, before Jose Lopez doubled in the eighth and Hiroki Minei singled him in for the BayStars' only run.

"I feel really good. Sumimasen, hisashiburi (I'm sorry, its' been a while)," said Messenger after getting his first win since July 26, which also came at home against the BayStars.