Cuban pitcher Raidel Martínez concludes season in Japan

Cuban pitcher Raidel Martínez recorded an excellent relief appearance in the Japan Series playoffs today, but could not prevent the defeat and elimination of his Yomiuri Giants by the DeNa Stars.

The right-handed pitcher recorded five outs without allowing a hit in a game that extended to 11 innings, where his team fell at Yokohama Stadium with a final score of 7-6, amidst the euphoria of nearly 34,000 spectators.

The previous day, the Stars had triumphed with a final score of 6-2, thereby securing their ticket to the second stage of the Climax Series to decide the Central League champion against the Hanshin Tigers.

In the Pacific League, the Nippon Ham Fighters defeated the Orix Buffaloes 5-4, tying the series at one win apiece; they will decide tomorrow who advances to the league final to face the SoftBank Hawks.

Dominican player Franmil Reyes was key in that contest, going 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs, while Cuban Ariel Martínez failed in his only at-bat.