Softbank Hawks 's Yugo Maeda achieves 9 consecutive wins to start the season, a feat not seen in 60 years by a player in their first three years out of high school! Saito says, "He doesn't have major collapses; he has good luck." | Pacific League

Softbank Hawks 's Yugo Maeda achieves nine consecutive wins to start the season, a feat not seen in 60 years for a player in their first three years out of high school! Saito says, "He doesn't have major collapses and has good luck."

Baseball King

August 2, 2026 21:30

◆ 6th inning, 5-runs... Mr. Iwamoto: “All things considered, we haven’t allowed a clutch hit in eight straight games.”

Softbank Hawks ・ Yugo Maeda started on the 2nd against the Rakuten Eagles. Although he gave up solo Home Run in the 3rd and 6th innings, he pitched 6 innings on 99 pitches—7 hit, 2 Walk, and 5 runs—to earn his 9th win of the season, remaining undefeated since the start of the season.

Opening with nine consecutive wins within the third year of high school graduation is a remarkable achievement, the first in 60 years since Tsuneo Horiuchi. MC Tsutomu Iwamoto, who aired Fuji TV ONE's 'Pro baseball News 2026' on the 2nd, reflected, "Today's numbers aren't exactly good, but after all, we haven't allowed RBI hits in eight consecutive games." Commentator Akio Saito analyzed, "That's right. That's why we hold on when we give up a lot of runs and closer with small points. Today we're 5 runs, but it looks like a pitcher that won't collapse badly. And they have good luck with wins," he analyzed.

Furthermore, when Iwamoto pointed out that "ERA is in the 1.00s (1.93)," another commentator, Akihiko Oya, praised him, saying, "Despite his young age, he's pitch with great stability, and he doesn't Walk." Iwamoto added, "pitcher hasn't yet experienced fear will charge ahead recklessly," expressing his expectations for his future pitch.

☆ Cooperation: Fuji TV ONE "Professional baseball News 2026"