Seibu Lions’ Kona Takahashi throws a 120-pitch complete game shutout. It was his first complete game in three years and led Seibu’s comeback.

Takahashi tossed nine innings of four-hit ball, striking out six and walking none in a complete game victory over Nihon Ham on Saturday at Veruna Dome in Saitama, Japan. Seibu won 2-0 on a two-run homer by Takeya Nakamura.

Seibu won its first five-game winning streak of the season, improving to 34-1 and 47-1. The Nihon Hammers, meanwhile, dropped their ninth straight game for the first time in four years and dropped to 35-49 and in last place.

Takahashi’s third complete game of the season tied him with Takayuki Kato (Nippon Ham) for first place in complete games. It was also his first complete game in three years since September 8, 2020, against the Orix.

Takahashi is now 6-6 with three complete games and a 2.25 ERA in 16 appearances this season.

Retired three straight batters in the first through third innings. Retired all nine batters he faced. Fourth inning. Allowed a leadoff double to Hanson. A grounder to the second baseman put runners on first and third. With runners at first and third, he struck out the fourth batter, Martinez, allowing a runner to steal second. With runners on second and third, he got a fly ball to center field to end the threat 토토체험머니.

He allowed a leadoff double in the sixth, but got out of the inning on an infield popup, and a leadoff double in the seventh, but got out of the jam on a pitcher’s choice and an infield grounder.

Takahashi, who threw 100 pitches in the seventh inning, allowed Ishii to hit a triple off the center field fence with two outs in the eighth. Right fielder Kishi caught the deflected ball and made a quick relay play, and second baseman Donosaki threw home. Ishii was tagged out trying to round third base.

Takahashi, who was back on the mound in the ninth, got a grounder to first base and a straight hit to the pitcher for the second out. He faced Martinez and struck out the side on a 120-pitch, 154-mph fastball. It was his fastest pitch of the day.

“I distributed my pitches well, and I’m grateful to my fielders for the accurate throw home in the eighth inning,” Takahashi said.

According to Japanese media outlet Sports Hochi, it was a sweltering day with temperatures reaching a high of 39.4 degrees, 35 degrees at the start of the game, and 60 percent humidity. Takahashi changed his undershirt three times during the nine innings.