The Chiba Lotte Marines' Yuki Karakawa continued his hot start to the season, pitching a four-hit shutout to lead the Japan Series champions past the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles 4-0 on Saturday.
Karakawa won his fourth straight start with his second shutout of the season, after losing his first game of the year against the Eagles on April 13. He blanked the Seibu Lions on April 20 also at QVC Marine Field.
The 21-year-old homegrown right-hander had Rakuten baffled throughout the afternoon, walking one during a 124-pitch outing as he lowered his ERA to a Pacific League best 1.14.