Daisuke Yamai pitched a shutout for the first time in four years as the Chunichi Dragons beat the Yokohama BayStars 8-0 in the Central League on Tuesday.

Yamai (1-0), who was making his first start of the season, struck out six while allowing four hits and a walk in a 116-pitch outing. He retired the first five hitters in order before allowing a double, but he bounced back to post four 1-2-3 innings.

"I think everything went too well today. I was able to pitch at my own pace because my teammates scored throughout the game," said Yamai, who turned 40 on May 10. "I wasn't thinking about my age too much, but I wanted to do well because it was my first outing since I turned 40. So I'm really glad with the results."