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Kaima Taira

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Kaima Taira
Taira in 2022
Saitama Seibu Lions – No. 61
Pitcher
Born: (1999-11-15) November 15, 1999 (age 25)
Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
NPB debut
July 19, 2019, for the Saitama Seibu Lions
Career statistics
(through June 26, 2025)
Win–loss record22–18
Earned Run Average1.91
Strikeouts453
Saves49
Holds103
Teams
Career highlights and awards

NPB record

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

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]

Career

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Taira was drafted by the Saitama Seibu Lions with the team's fourth selection in the 2017 Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) draft out of Yaeyama Commercial High School [ja].[4] Taira spent the 2018 season with Seibu's farm team, posting a 5.40 ERA in 10 appearances.[5]

On July 19, 2019, Taira made his NPB 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 innings of work.[5] Because of his efforts, Taira was named the 2020 Pacific League Rookie of the Year.[6]

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.[7] On July 1, Taira passed Fujikawa and set a new NPB record by making his 39th consecutive mound appearance without giving up a run.[8] Taira's streak ended during his next appearance on July 6, when he allowed an RBI hit to Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters hitter Yuto Takahama [ja].[9] In 2021, Taira was named an NPB All-Star for the first time in his career.

On April 18, 2025, Tatsuya Imai and Taira combined to no-hit the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks at the Belluna Dome. Imai pitched the first eight innings, with Taira coming in the complete the no-hitter in the ninth inning.[10]

References

[edit]
  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. ^ "Register: Taira, Kaima (Saitama Seibu Lions)". Nippon Professional Baseball. 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. ^ "埼玉西武ライオンズ 選択選手一覧 | 2017年 プロ野球ドラフト会議 supported by リポビタンＤ" [2017 Professional Baseball Draft Meeting supported by Lipovitan D]. Nippon Professional Baseball (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  5. ^ a b "Kaima Taira Japanese Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball Reference.
  6. ^ "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". Ryukyu Shimpo.
  7. ^ @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.
  8. ^ @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.
  9. ^ @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.
  10. ^ ""No-hitter, one-run" Seibu's first rare record in 61 years. Tatsuya Imai led a "no hit, no runs game" for the fifth time in professional baseball". Pacific League. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
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