Jefry Marte hit his second three-run home run in two days, and Haruto Takahashi threw his second straight shutout as the second-place Hanshin Tigers earned a 3-0 Central League win over the Chunichi Dragons on Saturday.
The Tigers, seeking their first CL pennant in 16 years, trail the Tokyo Yakult Swallows by a game.
Takahashi (3-1) has not allowed a run since he surrendered six to the Swallows in his belated season debut on Sept. 9. Against the Dragons, he struck out six without issuing a walk while allowing five singles and needed just 97 pitches to get the job done.