Tetsuya Utsumi outpitched Kazuki Yoshimi in a marquee matchup of aces as the Yomiuri Giants edged the Chunichi Dragons 3-2 on Thursday.
Utsumi (1-2) allowed two runs, one earned, and eight hits in eight innings, walking two and striking out six in a 120-pitch outing at Tokyo Dome.
Shinnosuke Abe delivered a two-run single in a three-run third inning off Yoshimi (2-1), who was pulled after six innings.