‘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.

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. 안전놀이터

The Orix have held Yamamoto to one run or fewer in six straight games since his five-inning, three-run, no-decision at SoftBank on April 16. The Orix won 2-1 at SoftBank on April 17, tied 1-1 (12 extra innings) at Nippon Ham on April 18, won 2-1 at Nippon Ham on April 19, won 1-0 at Nippon Ham on April 20, won 5-1 at Seibu on April 22, and won 3-0 at Seibu on April 23 during their six-game streak of allowing one run or less.

It was the first time in 67 years since the Hankyu era that the Oryx had allowed 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 (1 run in 6 innings), Shunpeita Yamashita (1 run in 7 innings), Sachiya Yamasaki (6⅔ scoreless innings), Kohei Azuma (7 scoreless innings), and Jacob Wegscheidt (6 scoreless innings), with Yamamoto (7 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).