Satoru Kanemura scattered five hits over the distance and struck out seven for his ninth win as the Nippon Ham Fighters blanked the defending Pacific League champion Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes 4-0 at the Tokyo Dome on Monday.
Central League
WonLostTiedPct.GBYomiuri 72 45 2 .615 -Yakult 63 49 3 .563 6.5Chunichi 57 56 3 .504 13.0Hanshin 54 58 4 .4821 15.5Hiroshima 53 57 4 .4818 15.5Yokohama 38 72 2 .345 30.5Pacific League
WonLostTiedPct.GBSeibu 77 38 1 .670 -Kintetsu 59 53 2 .527 16.5Daiei 61 55 1 .526 16.5Nippon Ham 51 62 2 .451 25.0Lotte 49 63 1 .438 26.5Orix 42 68 3 .382 32.5
WonLostTiedPct.GBYomiuri 72 45 2 .615 -Yakult 63 49 3 .563 6.5Chunichi 57 56 3 .504 13.0Hanshin 54 58 4 .4821 15.5Hiroshima 53 57 4 .4818 15.5Yokohama 38 72 2 .345 30.5Pacific League
WonLostTiedPct.GBSeibu 77 38 1 .670 -Kintetsu 59 53 2 .527 16.5Daiei 61 55 1 .526 16.5Nippon Ham 51 62 2 .451 25.0Lotte 49 63 1 .438 26.5Orix 42 68 3 .382 32.5
Kanemura (9-3) went the distance on 109 pitches and walked one batter for his first shutout win since April 13, 1999.