Rookie right-hander Shun Yamaguchi pitched six strong innings and Katsuaki Furuki drove in a pair of runs as the Yokohama BayStars won their fourth straight game in a 3-1 victory over the floundering Yomiuri Giants on Thursday.
The Giants lost their ninth consecutive game for the first time in three years, back when manager Tatsunori Hara was in his first stint at the helm of the Central League club.
Yamaguchi (1-0) won in his first career start, allowing one run and two hits with five strikeouts and no walks at Yokohama Stadium.
The 19-year-old did not allow a runner on until surrendering a solo homer to Yoshiyuki Kamei with two outs in the fifth inning. Three relievers held Yomiuri scoreless, including Marc Kroon who posted his 14th save after throwing a scoreless ninth.
Dragons 6, Swallows 4 (11)