Despite an excellent performance by Liván Moinelo (7-1, 1.27 ERA), who pitched 8 complete innings allowing only one run (his fourth such outing of the season with eight innings pitched and one earned run. the SoftBank Hawks (41-31-3) fell to the Saitama Seibu Lions (39-35-0) 1-0 at the Mizuho Pay Pay Dome in Fukuoka.
The defeat was the first for the Cuban left-hander since September 3, 2024. Moinelo, a four-time Japan Series champion, leads the Pacific League with 12 quality starts and ranks second in strikeouts (107), surpassed only by Tatsuya Imai (110) in that statistical category. Expect the southpaw to be Cuba’s ace in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
Guillermo Heredia drove in a run via a single in four trips to the plate and scored on an occasion to do his part in SSG’s 4-0 blanking of the NC Dinos. The outfielder from Matanzas, Cuba now hits a solid .280 and has knocked in 17 runs on the campaign.
Cuban action on the day:
Liván Moinelo (SH): 8IP,8H,ER,7K,2BB (1.27)
Carlos Monier (CD): 3-1 (.239)**
KBO:
Guillermo Heredia (SSG): 4-1,RBI,R (.280)
CPBL:
No Cuban action