Right-hander Kenshin Kawakami came within three outs of his second career no-hitter Tuesday, leading the Chunichi Dragons to a 3-0 victory over the Lotte Marines in interleague play.
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| Nippon Ham Fighters outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo is dropped down from the ceiling in a gondola prior to Tuesday's game against the Hanshin Tigers at Sapporo Dome. |
Kawakami (7-1) retired the first 20 batters he faced before issuing consecutive walks to Kazuya Fukuura and Benny Agbayani in the seventh and giving up a ninth-inning leadoff single to pinch-hitter Saburo Omura for the only hit he allowed on the night at Nagoya Dome.
Kawakami struck out seven in a 116-pitch outing and matched Hiroshima Carp right-hander Sean Douglass for the most wins in the Central League this season.