Liván Moinelo (5-0, 1.69 ERA) once again faced and outperformed star right-hander Hiromi Itoh (the duel favors the Japanese player 3-2), despite some issues; he allowed 35.7% of batters faced to reach base. For first the time in 33 games started as a starting pitcher in NPB, he recorded more walks than strikeouts (4 BB/3 SO).
However, today at Es Con Field Hokkaido, the left-hander and former reliever, earned his fifth win without a loss of the season by throwing seven innings for the fourth consecutive appearance and also once again recording a quality start over that span. Moinelo was effective today in spite of not being too dominant, and, obviously, the offensive support of his team was crucial in SoftBank’s 5-2 win over Nippon Ham.
Over his career in the Nippon League the southpaw has a 34-14 record, 1.89 earned run average, and 624 strikeouts in 509⅔ innings pitched over his career. The Cuban has also won the reliever of the year (2020) in the league and post a sterling 0.97 WHIP over his career.
Cuban action on the day:
NPB:
Liván Moinelo (SH): 7.0IP,6H,2ER,4BB,3K (1.69)
Andy Martín (CL) 0-0,DR (.238) **
Christian Rodríguez (CD): 2-0 (.254)**
Carlos Monier (CD): 2-0(.259)**
KBO:
Rubén Cárdenas (KH) 5-1 (.223)
CPBL:
No Cuban action on the day.