Second-year pro Shun Ikeda pitched two innings in relief and picked up his first win Saturday as the Yomiuri Giants beat the Chunichi Dragons 6-4.
Ikeda (1-1) gave up two hits and a walk in his 24-pitch outing at Nagoya Dome after taking the mound in the sixth inning. The 25-year-old left-hander replaced starter Tomoyuki Sugano, who allowed four runs (three earned) over five innings.
"I mainly pitch in relief, but I just thought how difficult it is to earn one win in Nippon Professional Baseball," Ikeda said.