NPB Central League : Swallows 4 vs 3 Tigers
José Quijada put on an absolute masterclass in the 9th inning on June 23rd, striking out the side to lock up his brilliant 17th save of the season against the Tigers at historic Koshien Stadium. Coming out of the Tokyo Yakult bullpen to close the book, the elite left-handed weapon entered the high-pressure frame with supreme confidence. Quijada was completely untouchable, needing just 16 precise pitches to dismantle the opposition. He faced exactly three batters and sat them all down in order with three consecutive, jaw-dropping strikeouts. Refusing to surrender a single hit or issue any free passes, his flawless, scoreless outing lowered his season ERA to a sharp 2.55, solidifying his status as one of the most lethal and dependable lockdown closers in the league.
Yokosuka " Rainy " Johnny 