Hiroto Saiki threw a complete-game shutout as the Hanshin Tigers beat the Lotte Marines 2-0 Sunday, handing pitching sensation Roki Sasaki his first loss of the season.

Yusuke Oyama ended Sasaki's no-hit bid with a sixth-inning RBI single, and Ryutaro Umeno homered in the seventh off reliever Akira Yagi at Koshien Stadium.

Lotte Marines pitcher Roki Sasaki wipes sweat from his face after allowing the Hanshin Tigers to score the game's first run in the sixth inning at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on June 4, 2023. (Kyodo)

Oyama's one-out single to right with a runner on third was the only hit Sasaki (4-1) gave up in the interleague game. The 21-year-old right-hander struck out 10 but struggled with his command, walking four and hitting a batter in six innings of work.

"When I stepped to the plate, I knew I had to do it there," Oyama said. "I'm glad we were able to get Saiki the win."

Asked to comment on facing Sasaki, the cleanup hitter said, "I looked forward to that. He was dominant, but we couldn't stay quiet."

Saiki (4-3) held the Marines to three hits, striking out 12 and walking one in a 101-pitch outing.

In other action, Hiroya Miyagi (5-1) threw a two-hit shutout, and Tomoya Mori hit a three-run homer in a five-run eighth inning, leading the Orix Buffaloes over the Chunichi Dragons 5-0. The Yakult Swallows defeated the Rakuten Eagles 5-2.

The SoftBank Hawks edged the Hiroshima Carp 3-2, the DeNA BayStars beat the Seibu Lions 5-4, and the Nippon Ham Fighters routed the Yomiuri Giants 10-3.


Related coverage:

Baseball: Marines' Roki Sasaki wins 2nd monthly pitching honor

Baseball: Samurai Japan returns home to heroes' welcome after WBC win