Minoru Iwata and three relievers combined on a five-hitter as the Hanshin Tigers beat the error-prone Yokohama BayStars 3-2 on Thursday to complete a three-game sweep.
A packed house of 28,195 watched a well-pitched game that was eventually decided by mistakes. With no outs and a runner on second after a bloop double by Fumiya Hojo, BayStars closer Yasuaki Yamasaki (1-2) bounced a throw to first on a sacrifice bunt attempt, allowing pinch runner Takahiro Kumagai to round third and score at Yokohama Stadium.
Lefty Atsushi Nomi, the Tigers' 39-year-old former ace, earned the win after he struck out three in a scoreless eighth. With the tying run on, he struck out Yokohama cleanup hitter Yoshitomo Tsusugo looking at two straight inside fastballs in the Central League contest.