Kazuhisa Ishii shut out the Chunichi Dragons on four hits over eight innings and drove in all three Yakult runs Tuesday as the Swallows won 3-1 in Toyama to take over the lead in the Central League standings.
Ishii (3-4), who also struck out seven, singled home a pair of runs in the second inning and sacrificed home an insurance run in the eighth to give the Swallows their fourth win in a row and move them a half-game in front of Chunichi and the Yomiuri Giants.
Yakult closer Shingo Takatsu surrendered a solo homer to Leo Gomez, but was otherwise perfect for his 14th save of the season.