Cristopher Mercedes held the Chunichi Dragons hitless through five innings as the Yomiuri Giants won 9-3 and hung on to their slim lead in the Central League on Wednesday.
Mercedes (7-6) allowed three runs over 5⅔ innings but did not give up a hit until he had a 5-0 lead to work with. The left-hander struck out five, while allowing two hits. It was enough to help the Giants snap their season-worst six-game losing skid.
"I didn't realize I had a no-hitter going until the fifth," Mercedes said. "I think that (nervousness) got to me a little bit in the sixth inning."