Tomoyuki Sugano became the first pitcher in 40 years to throw eight shutouts in a season as he and the Yomiuri Giants blanked the Hiroshima Carp 4-0 on Thursday.
Sugano (15-8) struck out 11 and completed his four-hitter without issuing a walk. He pulled even with Carp right-hander Daichi Osera for the Central League lead in wins.
"He's not easy to score against, although we hit some balls that were really close to being hits," Carp manager Koichi Ogata said.