◆ Pacific League Lotte 5-3 Seibu Lions (April 4th, ZOZO Marine Stadium)

Lotte Naoya Masuda pitcher (36) recorded his second save of the season in the game against Seibu Lions (ZOZO) on the 4th, reaching his 250th career save. He pitched in the ninth inning with a two-run lead. He advanced to mound amid enthusiastic cheers from the home fans. He retired leadoff hitter on a grounder to the pitch, then flew out to left off Tonosaki. Finally, he shut down pinch hitter Kishi to fly to right, securing his entry into the Meikyukai (Famous Baseball Association) with the remarkable feat of becoming the fifth player in professional baseball history.

He joined the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2011 as the fourth overall pick in the draft from Kansai International University. In his first year, he made 72 appearances and recorded 41 hold, winning the Rookie of the Year award. In 2013, he won the save title with 33 saves, and in 2021, he won it with 38 saves, becoming the save leader twice. In June 2024, he reached a total of 228 saves, the most in the team's history, and has reigned as the closer for the Marines.

However, in 2025, which he entered with a total of 243 saves, his performance declined due to upper body conditioning issues, resulting in a record of 1 win, 4 losses, and 5 saves in 22 games with ERA of 4.35. It was his first time in seven years, with single-digit saves since 2018 when he had 3 saves.

In the fall of that same year, shortly after taking over as manager, Saburo participated in the autumn training camp held in Miyakonojo, Miyazaki. The manager had set the theme as "Showa-era camp," and while a tough training regimen was imposed, he sweated it out alongside the younger players, getting his body back in shape.

With the start of the new year, he has weathered free training and spring camp without injury, entering his 15th season with only 2 saves left to reach 250 saves. Yokoyama, who had made rapid progress, was appointed closer from the start of the season, and although he was frequently used in situations where he was behind, he maintained his nerve and kept moving up to mound. Then, in the ninth inning of the July 10 game against Orix Buffaloes (ZOZO), he pitched in a save situation for the first time of the season and earned his first save of the season to take the lead. Finally, on this day, he reached the milestone of 250 saves at his home mound.

◆ Naoya Masuda (Masuda Naoya) Born October 25, 1989, in Kinokawa City, Wakayama. 36 years old. At Ichi Wakayama Commercial (now Ichikawa Wakayama), served as a backup for the infielder and reached the semifinals in the Wakayama tournament in the summer of his third year. Switched to pitcher at Kansai International University. Joined Lotte as the 4th pick in the 2011 draft. In his rookie year, he pitched 72 games and recorded 41 hold, earning Rookie of the Year award. Saves leader in 2013 and 2021. 179 cm tall, 80 kg. Throws and bats right-handed. His estimated annual salary for this season is 120 million yen.