Ryosuke Hirata represented the Chunichi Dragons' last line of defense as he scooped up Shunichi Murata's two-out ninth-inning single in right field, as Takahiro Suzuki rounded third with his sights set on scoring the winning run for the Yomiuri Giants.
Hirata's throw made it home in time for catcher Motonobu Tanishige to tag out Suzuki and help the Dragons avoid a loss in their 6-6 tie with the Giants on Tuesday at Tokyo Dome.
The Giants trailed by a run entering the ninth with Dragons closer Hitoki Iwase on the mound.