The Chunichi Dragons locked up one of the Central League's three playoff berths on Saturday with a 2-0 win over the Hiroshima Carp, clinching at least third place in the final Central League standings.
Soma Yamauchi (10-6) allowed four hits and issued four walks, while striking out one in eight innings to earn the victory. Jorge Sosa allowed the tying runs to reach base in the bottom of the ninth but escaped a two-out jam to complete the shutout and earn his fourth save.
Yamauchi reached double digits in wins for the first time in his six-year career.