Kaima Taira

Kaima Taira (平良 海馬, Taira Kaima, born November 15, 1999) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[2][3]

Kaima Taira
Saitama Seibu Lions – No. 61
Pitcher
Born: (1999-11-15) November 15, 1999
Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
NPB debut
July 19, 2019, for the Saitama Seibu Lions
Career statistics
(through 2022 season)
Win–loss record7–8
Earned Run Average1.66
Strikeouts230
Saves31
Holds94
Teams
Career highlights and awards

NPB record

  • 39 consecutive mound appearances without giving up a run
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Japan
Summer Olympics
Gold medal – first place 2020 Tokyo Team

Career

Taira was drafted by the Saitama Seibu Lions with the team's fourth selection in the 2017 Nippon Professional Baseball draft out of Yaeyama Commercial High School. Taira spent the 2018 season with Seibu's farm team, posting a 5.40 ERA in 10 appearances.

On July 19, 2019, Taira made his Nippon Professional Baseball debut. He finished this season with a 2–1 record and 3.38 ERA in 26 appearances. The following season, Taira played in 54 games for Seibu, posting a stellar 1.87 ERA in 53.0 innings of work.[4] Because of his efforts, Taira was named the 2020 Pacific League Rookie of the Year.[5]

On June 28, 2021, Taira tied the NPB record for consecutive mound appearances without giving up a run, with 38, a record also held by former Hanshin Tigers pitcher Kyuji Fujikawa.[6] On July 1, Taira passed Fujikawa and set a new NPB record by making his 39th consecutive mound appearance without giving up a run.[7] Taira's streak ended at 39 on July 6, when he allowed an RBI hit to Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters hitter Yuto Takahama.[8] In 2021, Taira was named an NPB All-Star for the first time in his career.

References
  1. "【データ】パ初！西武平良海馬が同一シーズン20セーブ＋20ホールド - プロ野球 : 日刊スポーツ".
  2. 一般社団法人日本野球機構. "Register : Taira,Kaima (Saitama Seibu Lions)". Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  3. "61 平良 海馬選手名鑑2020 ｜埼玉西武ライオンズ". Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  4. "Kaima Taira Japanese Leagues Statistics & History".
  5. "Digital Extra – Okinawan native Taira wins the Pacific League Rookie of the Year award after recording no losses and 33 holds as a relief pitcher for the Seibu Lions".
  6. @NPB_Reddit (28 June 2021). "Seibu Lions pitcher Kaima Taira tied the NPB record for consecutive mound appearances without giving up a run, at 3…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  7. @NPB_Reddit (1 July 2021). "Seibu Lions pitcher Kaima Taira set a new NPB record by making his 39th consecutive mound appearance without giving…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. @NPB_Reddit (6 July 2021). "Seibu Lions pitcher Kaima Taira's NPB record setting streak of consecutive mound appearances without giving up a ru…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.


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