Takayuki Kato of the Nippon Ham Fighters pitches against the Lotte Marines in their Pacific League game at Zozo Marine Stadium in Chiba on Oct. 29, 2021. (Kyodo)

       CHIBA (Kyodo) -- Takayuki Kato (6-7) allowed one hit over five innings, and four relievers completed a two-hit shutout as the Pacific League's Nippon Ham Fighters secured a fifth-place finish with a 5-0 win over the playoff-bound Lotte Marines.

       On the same day that the Fighters officially learned their next manager would be flashy former outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo, they moved out of last place. A win or a tie on Saturday against Lotte would prevent 10th-year manager Hideki Kuriyama from finishing last in his final season.

       At Mazda Stadium, Allen Kuri (13-9) allowed a run over five innings in the Hiroshima Carp's 4-1 win over the newly crowned Central League champion Yakult Swallows to guarantee he would tie for the league lead in pitching wins, with Koyo Aoyagi of the Hanshin Tigers.

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