Southpaw Kei Igawa pitched six scoreless innings with seven strikeouts and George Arias homered as the Hanshin Tigers edged the Yokohama BayStars 2-1 in the only preseason game held Friday.
Igawa, named the Opening Day pitcher for the third straight year, yielded seven hits and a walk but the defending Central League champion did not allow its opponent to cross home plate until the eighth inning at Yokohama Stadium.
Arias carried a Pete Walker pitch into the left-field stands for a solo shot in the fourth to make it 2-0 for the Tigers.