Cuban Pitcher Raidel Martinez Ties for Saves Lead in Japan

Cuban pitcher Raidel Martinez saved his 39th game today, tying him for the league lead with local pitcher Shinya Matsuyama in the 2025 season of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

The right-handed reliever took the mound in the ninth inning and managed to preserve the 6-3 lead for his Yomiuri Giants against the Chunichi Dragons at the packed Vantelin Dome in Nagoya.

Although he allowed two hits, the native of the western province of Pinar del Río managed to "hang the zero on the board" with a pair of strikeouts. This effort brings his strikeout total for the season to 57 over 48 and one-third innings pitched.

Martinez has allowed 30 hits over that span, with ten walks issued, and boasts an excellent Earned Run Average (ERA) of 1.31, demonstrating that he remains one of the most dominant relievers in the Japanese league.

With this win, the Giants maintain second place in the Central League with a record of 61 wins, 62 losses, and three ties, trailing the Hanshin Tigers (78-45-3), who defeated the Hiroshima Carp 2-0 today.