A total of three Cubans saw action earlier today in the Professional Baseball League of Japan. The highlight of the day being Raidel Martínez’s second save of the year. The hard throwing righty once again came in the ninth inning in the Nagoya organization and preserved the Dragons 3-1 victory over the Yakult Swallows, at home at the Vantelin Dome.
The “flame thrower” from Pinar del Río worked without any complications during his outing, retiring the three batters he faced two via the strikeout. Martínez who is one of the top closers in Japan touched 97 mph on the radar gun with some of his deliveries and once is expected to save 30 games in the NPB. Last season, the lanky Cuban saved 39 games for Chunichi. In 55.2 innings he allowed total of just 6 earned run for a 0.97 ERA. Martínez also fanned 62 for 10.0 SO/9 average on the season.
💥 Actuación de los cubanos en la NPB:
— Yoan Luis Piedra (@piedra_yoan) April 6, 2023
📅 6/4/23
🇨🇺 Dayán Viciedo (Chunichi) 4-3 2B/CA
🇨🇺 Raidel Martínez (Chunichi) 1.0 IP 2K/0C/0BB
🇨🇺 Ariel Martínez (Nippon-ham) 3-0 2K pic.twitter.com/NOzcETt2J0
Dayán Viciedo had his best game of the young season swatting three hits in his four visits to the plate with one of his hit being double and scoring a run in the process. The native of Villa Clara, Cuba in his last two games has collected five hits, which has raised his average on the campaign to .333. On the day Viciedo hit fifth and played first base for Chunichi.
Ariel Martínez a key free agent acquisition for the Nippon-Ham Fighters went hitless on the day in the team’s 6-1 loss to the Yakult Swallows. The Matanzas, Cuba native who was brought in to spice up the offense is only hitting a paltry .200 , although the season is still early. The talented slugger still has plenty of season ahead to adapt to his new surroundings.
ドラゴンズ勝利！
— 中日ドラゴンズ公式🐨 (@DragonsOfficial) April 6, 2023
勝利のハイタッチ！ pic.twitter.com/HusryuPpJv