Cuban closer Raidel Martínez on Wednesday reaffirmed his lead in saves in Japan’s Central League.

Martínez allowed a single with no runs over one inning, striking out one, to preserve the Yomiuri Giants’ 5–4 victory over the Orix Buffaloes.

In doing so, he reached 17 saves and maintained a two-save lead over Venezuelan José Quijada, who reached 15 on the same day.

Quijada had an identical performance to the Cuban, ensuring the Yakult Swallows’ 1–0 win over the Lotte Marines.

The victory was also contributed to by his compatriot José Osuna (2-for-4) and Dominican Domingo Santana (1-for-3 with a walk).

Mexican reliever Roberto Osuna also had a good night, pitching a perfect inning with three strikeouts, but his SoftBank Hawks won in extra innings, so no save was recorded.