‘Wins in both leagues + 1 ERA’ Japan’s strongest ace leads 67-year wait…Orix allows 1 run or less in 6 straight games

Orix Buffaloes ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, 25, joined the team’s streak of one-run or fewer starts.

Yamamoto started the game against the Seibu Lions at Veruna Dome in Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan on March 23 and pitched seven innings of one-hit ball, striking out five and walking none.메이저사이트

Behind Yamamoto’s seven scoreless innings, the Orix bullpen of Taisuke Yamaoka (one scoreless inning) and Yoshihisa Hirano (one scoreless inning) shut down the Seibu bats for a 3-0 shutout victory.

The Orix have held Yamamoto to one earned run or less in six straight games since his five-inning, three-run, no-decision at SoftBank on April 16. During the six-game streak, Yamamoto has allowed one run or less in five wins, including a 2-1 win at SoftBank on April 17, a 1-1 tie (12-inning extra innings) at Nippon Ham on April 18, a 2-1 win at Nippon Ham on April 19, a 1-0 win at Nippon Ham on April 20, a 5-1 win at Seibu on April 22, and a 3-0 win at Seibu on April 23.

It was the first time in 67 years since the Hankyu era that the Ducks held opponents to one run or less in six consecutive games, from June 13, 1956 against Toei (now Nippon Ham) to June 19 against Mainichi (now Chiba Lotte). During that time, the Oryx pitching staff was led by Hiroya Miyagi (six innings, one run), Shunpeita Yamashita (seven innings, one run), Sachiya Yamasaki (6⅔ scoreless innings), Kohei Azuma (seven scoreless innings), and Jacob Wegscheidt (six scoreless innings), with Yamamoto (seven scoreless innings) getting the save.

“Yamamoto pitched seven scoreless innings to earn the win and move into first place in both leagues with 12 wins,” said Nikkan Sports. The Oryx have won five straight games for the fourth time this season,” highlighting Yamamoto’s performance. In his postgame interview, Yamamoto said, “I pitched with runners on base. The other pitcher was also throwing hard, so I tried my best not to lose.”

Yamamoto, who has won four pitching awards (wins, ERA, strikeouts, and winning percentage) for the past two years in a row, has continued his remarkable performance this season. In 18 games (127 innings), he is 12-5 with a 1.42 ERA, leading both leagues in ERA and wins. He is also second in strikeouts with 128, trailing only Roki Sasaki and Atsuki Taneichi (Chiba Lotte, 130).