The Central League-leading Yakult Swallows battled to a scoreless tie with the Yokohama BayStars in a pitchers' duel that lasted 12 innings at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium on Thursday night.
Under Central League rules, games not decided after 12 innings are ruled a tie.
The game was held up after a controversial call in the top of the 12th inning. Takahiro Saeki hit a sinking liner toward Yakult left fielder Alex Ramirez with one out and a Yokohama runner on third.