So far, so good for Yoshinobu Takahashi and the Yomiuri Giants.
Tomoyuki Sugano threw seven shutout innings and Hisayoshi Chono homered to help make Takahashi a winner in his managerial debut as the Giants beat the defending Central League champion Tokyo Yakult Swallows 3-1 in front of an opening-night crowd of 44,842 on Friday at Tokyo Dome.
"I'm glad we are able to give our new manager his first win on opening day," Chono said.