Rookie Kazuki Yabuta pitched out of some tight spots to go six innings, and the Hiroshima Carp moved to within two wins of their first Central League pennant in 25 years on Wednesday.
Yabuta (3-1) allowed four hits and three walks, while striking out three to outduel Chunichi Dragons ace Kazuki Yoshimi in a 5-0 win before 31,877 at Mazda Stadium. The Carp moved 33 games over .500 for just the second time in franchise history behind the 1980 Japan Series championship team.
With two outs and two on in the sixth and his team leading 3-0, Yabuta faced Naomichi Donoue, who had homered off him on Aug. 28. But the right-hander struck him out with three fastballs.