Dicky Gonzalez pitched three-run ball into the eighth inning, setting the pace as the Yomiuri Giants beat the Yokohama BayStars 5-3 on Tuesday.
The Central League-leading Giants saw their magic number reappear at 23.
Gonzalez handcuffed the first seven batters he faced and allowed two earned runs on six hits, while striking out six and walking two in 7 2/3 innings at Kyocera Dome. The right-hander won his sixth consecutive decision. Hayato Terahara (2-7) took the loss.
Michihiro Ogasawara hit a two-run homer to key a three-run first, and Hayato Sakamoto added a two-run double for a 5-1 lead in the sixth. Tatsuya Shimozono hit a two-run blast for Yokohama.