Naoyuki Shimizu threw a four-hitter as the Chiba Lotte Marines shut out the Chunichi Dragons 5-0 in interleague play Saturday to extend their winning streak to eight games and take sole possession of first place in the Pacific League standings.
Yokohama Outfielder Hitoshi Tamura belts a solo homer into the left field bleachers in the sixth inning against the Seibu Lions at Yokohama Stadium on Saturday. The BayStars won 8-1.
Shimizu (4-3) struck out seven, walked two and hit a batter at Chiba Marine Stadium in his first complete-game shutout of the season, helping Lotte move a season-high seven games above .500 and take a one-game lead in the PL.
Lotte broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning on a fielding error by Chunichi first baseman Tyrone Woods following a Tsuyoshi Nishioka grounder with two outs and runners at the corners.