Hiroshima Carp right-hander Kenta Maeda pitched three scoreless innings on Saturday as the Central League beat the Pacific League 4-0 in the second game of the NPB All-Star Series at Matsuyama Stadium.
Maeda, the first pitcher to be named MVP since Daisuke Matsuzaka won in 2004, allowed just one hit, while striking out two and walking one as the CL won for the second straight night and cut the PL's lead in the event to 77-73. Game 3 will be played on Monday at Iwate Stadium in Morioka.
Yakult's Wladimir Balentien put the CL in front in the first with an RBI single, and Yomiuri shortstop Hayato Sakamoto belted a two-run homer in the third. Game 1 MVP Norihiro Nakamura of Yokohama completed the score line in the sixth with an RBI single. The CL racked up 11 hits, while the PL stars were held to just four hits for the second straight game.
Sakamoto, who homered off Hokkaido Nippon Ham lefty Mitsuo Yoshikawa, was named one of the game's outstanding performers. He also homered in last year's series.
The customary pregame home run-hitting contest provided more entertainment than usual when Fukuoka Softbank slugger Wily Mo Pena drove a ball out of the park over the left-field stands and into the parking lot.
