Kenichi Wakatabe tossed a two-hit shutout against the Pacific League-leading Seibu Lions on Thursday, leading the Daiei Hawks to a 1-0 victory in a tight pitchers' duel at the Seibu Dome.
With the win, the Hawks avoided a three-game sweep and moved within one game of the Lions in the PL standings. Wakatabe (8-9) fanned 10 batters and walked two for his eighth win.
With two outs and bases loaded in the seventh, Wakatabe struck out rookie pinch hitter Masahide Kaizuka to escape a jam.