Kazuki Yoshimi held the damage to one run in eight innings and Masahiro Araki went 3-for-4 with a run scored as the second-place Chunichi Dragons beat the Hiroshima Carp 4-1 and clinched a playoff spot in the Central League Climax Series.
Yoshimi (15-6) scattered eight hits, struck out five and walked one en route to becoming the first 15-game winner this season in the CL.
Yuki Saito (9-10) took the loss at Mazda Stadium.