Cubans Raidel Martínez and Liván Moinelo once again made their mark in Japanese baseball. With dominant performances that combined precision in the closing game and the authority of a pitcher who gives no quarter.
Martínez closed out the Yomiuri Giants’ 8-6 victory over the Yakult Seagulls at Meiji Jingu Stadium. Recording the final three outs, two of them by strikeout, although he allowed one hit.
The right-hander from Pinar del Rio thus reached 35 saves on the season. A figure that keeps him as the leader in that category in the Central League and brings his career total to 247 saves in Japanese professional baseball.
His record also boasts three wins and three losses, just seven earned runs allowed in 41 innings, and a 1.54 ERA. Along with 47 strikeouts that explain his dominance from the mound.
Several miles away in Chiba, Moinelo turned the mound at ZOZO Marine Stadium into an impregnable fortress. Completing all nine innings and leading the SoftBank Hawks to a 9-0 shutout victory over the Lotte Marines.
The Cuban left-hander allowed only three hits, struck out nine, and walked two to achieve his first shutout of the season. Also to maintain his perfect record of three wins in as many starts since returning to the rotation.
Moinelo now has 21 innings pitched in three starts. Allowing only one earned run and striking out 21. Numbers that illustrate the strength of an arm that has returned to the rotation ready to reclaim its prominence.
Tokyo and Chiba were the stages for the same story. As Martínez closed out the game to preserve a victory and Moinelo shut out the lights with a complete game. Two ways of writing in Japanese a new chapter of Cuban talent .
With information from CNA
- Will the New School Year Truly Be a Celebration in Cuba? - 26 de August de 2026
- Raidel and Moinelo Shine in Japanese Baseball - 26 de August de 2026
- Holguin Governor Focuses on Gibara’s Local Future - 25 de August de 2026