Yakult Swallows closer Lim Chang-yong claimed his 15th save in an NPB game against the Orix Buffaloes in Tokyo, Wednesday. The South Korean also extended his scoreless game streak to 20.
/ Korea Times File |
By Yoon Chul
Staff reporter
Lim Chang-yong of the Yakult Swallows secured his 15th save of the season in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) Wednesday, shutting down the Orix Buffaloes in the ninth inning at Jingu Stadium in Tokyo to preserve a 5-4 win.
The 32-year-old Korean also tied a team record with his 20th scoreless game, breaking Hirotoshi Ishii previous record of 19 set in 2005.
Lim is the fifth player in the Central League to start the season with 20 scoreless appearances.
After taking a 5-4 lead in the sixth inning, three other Swallows' relievers held Orix off the scoreboard until Yakult manager Shigeru Takada sent in the Korean side-arm pitcher.
Lim's slider induced a foul fly ball out from Hirotoshi Kitagawa, who led off the ninth inning for the Buffaloes. The closer then allowed a single to Tomokata Sakaguchi before getting Ikki Shimamura to hit into a double play to end the game.
``I don't care about the team record, we don't play baseball in order to set a record,'' Lim said.
The Swallows are over .500 in April and May for the first time in eight years, and trail league-leading Yomiuri Giants by 3 1/2 games.
yc@koreatimes.co.kr
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