Right-hander Tatsuya Imai threw a three-hitter for his first professional shutout on Sunday in the Saitama Seibu Lions' 4-0 win over the Tohoku Rakuten Eagles.

Imai (4-2), who will turn 21 this week, walked four, while fanning five of the 33 hitters he faced at MetLife Dome.

The only time he pitched into a jam was in the second inning, when he put runners on first and second bases with no out. The right-hander, however, retired the next three batters to close the inning without any damage.