The third time proved to be the charm for rookie Katsuki Azuma, who threw his first shutout on Wednesday in the Yokohama BayStars' 5-0 win over the Hanshin Tigers.
The BayStars' top draft pick last autumn, Azuma (3-2) produced bad swings and lots of soft contact. The lefty struck out eight and walked three, and took a one-hitter into the ninth, when he had to pitch out of a two-on, no-out pickle.
"I pushed the thought of a shutout out of my mind, and focused on getting out of the inning," Azuma said after the game at Hanshin's historic Koshien Stadium.