Havana, September 12 (RHC) – The Cuban Raidel Martínez got his save number 39 today in the Japanese Professional Baseball League by preserving the 1-0 victory of the Yomiuri Giants over the Hanshin Tigers.
In front of more than 42,000 fans gathered at the Tokyo Dome, the Pinar del Río right-hander allowed two hits in the ninth inning, but once again found the key to shut the door and secure his team’s victory.
With that outcome, Martínez reaffirmed himself as the leader of the Central League in saves and once again confirmed his status as a specialist in high-pressure moments.
After the outing, the Cuban has a record of four wins and three losses, 48 innings pitched, seven earned runs allowed, 27 hits, 51 strikeouts and 10 walks, while lowering his earned run average to 1.31.
The new save comes just two days after Martínez entered Japanese professional baseball history by reaching 250 career saves, a mark that made him the sixth NPB pitcher with such a figure and the first foreigner to achieve it.
After nine seasons in Japan—seven with the Chunichi Dragons and two with Yomiuri—the Pinar del Río native also met, with that feat, the requirement for entry into the Meikyūkai, known as the Club of Extraordinary Players, reserved for those who achieve exceptional milestones in Japanese baseball.
