Tatsuyoshi Masubuchi came within one out of his first career shutout, Wladimir Balentien blasted his Central League-leading 25th homer and the Tokyo Yakult Swallows defeated the Yomiuri Giants 3-1 to avoid a three-game sweep on Sunday.
Masubuchi (6-6) scattered five hits over eight scoreless innings but was lifted when he surrendered a solo drive to Yoshinobu Takahashi with two outs in the ninth at Tokyo Dome. Rookie Kentaro Kyuko got the final out for his first save.
"I never thought I would be able to pitch like I did today," said Masubuchi, who is in his fifth year with the Swallows.