Tomoyuki Sugano worked six innings, and Daisuke Nakai drove in two runs as the Yomiuri Giants beat the Tokyo Yakult Swallows 3-0 on Tuesday and inched closer to third place in the Central League.
Working on a shorter-than-usual, five-days rest, Sugano (17-5) allowed two hits and two walks, while striking out four. He was pulled after throwing 98 pitches. Four relievers completed the shutout that moved the fourth-place Giants to within one game of the third-place Yokohama BayStars.
The BayStars have seven games remaining and the Giants four, but the two teams won't meet again during the regular season. The top three teams in each league make the postseason.