Randy Messenger threw eight shutout innings and the Hanshin Tigers scored three late runs to hold off the Chunichi Dragons 3-0 on Friday, retaining to the Central League's top spot.
Messenger (9-11) allowed six hits without a walk and struck out nine in his 111-pitch outing, outlasting counterpart Drew Naylor (2-3).
"It's one of those games where whoever makes the first mistake was going to come out the loser so I definitely didn't want to make that mistake," Messenger said.