Olympic gold medalist, WBSC Premier12 winner Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws fourth no-hitter of 2022 NPB season
The 23-year-old right-hander used 102 pitches to complete his gem. "I had this amazing concentration all the way to the ninth inning, but I was pumped up as I pitched, so I'm just overjoyed,"
Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medalist pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw the 86th no-hitter in the history of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), the fourth in 2022. It's the first time an NPB season includes four no-hitters.
Yamamoto led the Orix Buffaloes to a 2-0 win at the Seibu's Bellina Dome against the Seibu Lions in the Pacific League regular season. The Lions became the first NPB team to be no-hit twice in the same season.
It was the first no-hitter by an Orix Buffaloes pitcher since 2012.
Yamamoto used 102 pitches to complete his performance. He walked one batter and struck out nine.
"I had this amazing concentration all the way to the ninth inning, but I was pumped up as I pitched, so I'm just overjoyed," Yamamoto told the Kyodo news agency.
The 23-year-old right-hander started two games for Samurai Japan at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He allowed two earned runs on seven hits in 11.1 innings (1.59 ERA) while walking two and striking out 18.
Yamamoto also helped Japan win the WBSC Premier12 2019. He pitched out of the bullpen in five games at the Premier12 2019, including the final against Korea. He allowed one run on five hits (1.80 ERA) while walking one and striking out six.
