Keiichi Yabu spotted Yakult a one-run lead in the first inning, but then combined with three relievers to shut the Swallows out the rest of the way as the Hanshin Tigers notched their third win in a row with an 8-1 triumph Wednesday night at Jingu Stadium.
Right-hander Yabu (6-4) surrendered a solo homer to Shinya Miyamoto in the first inning at Jingu Stadium in Tokyo, but held the Swallows scoreless on five hits over the next six innings for his first win since May 15.
Akihiro Yano connected for a pair of triples and drove in three runs to lead Hanshin's 11-hit attack. Shinjiro Hiyama had a single and a double and scored twice for the Tigers.