Seibu Lions’ Taira records 39th-straight shutout appearance, breaks 15-year-old NPB record

Seibu Lions’ Taira records 39th-straight shutout appearance, breaks 15-year-old NPB record

Seibu Lions’ Kaima Taira pitching at Nango Stadium in Nango, Miyazaki


July 1, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Seibu Lions pitcher Kaima Taira (21, Yaeyama Commercial and Technical High School), pitched his 39th consecutive shutout appearance July 1 against the SoftBank Hawks in their 15th matchup of the season at the Fukuoka PayPay Dome, breaking a 15-year-old record. In his previous appearance on June 28, also against the Hawks, he tied the record at 38 appearances set by the Hanshin Tigers’ Kyuji Fujikawa in 2006.

Taira’s string of shutout appearances has been going since the start of the season. On June 13 he broke a record for both the Central and Pacific leagues set in 1950, for the most shutout games to start a season with 32, which is now up to 39 and counting.

On July 3, Taira took the mound in the bottom of the 9th to protect a 1-0 lead against the Hawks. He struck out the leadoff batter on three straight pitches before allowing two base hits and bringing up a pinch hitter. However, after getting some help from his fielders to throw out a runner at third, the final out came on a pop-fly foul to left, and Taira secured the record. In the post-game hero interview, he said, “It was in danger, but ended well. I always take the mound hoping that I come leave without allowing any runs. I am very happy.”

Taira is 21, and comes from Ishigaki. He was the Lions’ fourth pick in the 2017 draft, and was called up the following year. In July last year he was the sixth Japanese pitcher to break the 160 kph mark. On June 16 he was also selected to represent Japan in the Olympics on their baseball team. He wears number 61.

 

(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)

 

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