*This content was translated by AI.
Kiwoom Heroes' "Asia Quota jackpot" has become a reality. Kanakubo Yuto (27), the "Japanese guardian" who has been solidly protecting the back door, has finally reached the double-digit saves plateau, etching his name firmly into KBO League history. This is a historic achievement: the first time in 12 years that a foreign pitcher has recorded double-digit saves in his debut season, and the first time in 16 years for a Japanese pitcher.
On the 13th, Yuto took the mound in the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs and his team leading 3-1 in a home game against Hanwha Eagles at Seoul's Gocheok Sky Dome, cleanly closing out the game.
That day, Kiwoom had taken a 3-1 lead thanks to starter Raul Alcantara's seven-inning, one-run performance, Kim Geon-hee's tying solo home run in the bottom of the 5th, and Won Seong-jun's dramatic go-ahead RBI single in the bottom of the 7th, his first appearance in 325 days. With victory within reach, reliever Park Jeong-hoon had left the mound after giving up a left-handed line drive single to Heo In-seo in the bottom of the 8th with two outs in the 9th, leaving just one out to go. With a single home run able to tie the game, the baton was passed to Yuto to take full responsibility for the win.
Yuto threw a sharp pitch against pinch-hitter Park Jeong-hyun. After five pitches, he induced a sharp swing-and-miss strikeout, signaling the end of the game. Yuto completed the team's two-game winning streak and secured his 10th save of the season.
Yuto's achievement of double-digit saves in his debut season is a historic milestone, making him the 14th foreign player in KBO League history to do so. It is extremely rare for a foreign closer to record double-digit saves in his first year in the KBO League. After Strong of Hyundai (27 saves) in 1998, Thomas of Hanwha (31 saves) in 2008, and Proctor of Doosan (35 saves) in 2012, the streak was broken by Ascencio of KIA Tigers (20 saves) in 2014, leaving a 12-year gap.
Especially when narrowing it down to "Japanese pitcher records," the achievement is even more overwhelming. This is the first time in 16 years that a Japanese closer has recorded double-digit saves in his debut season, since Shin'ya Okamoto of LG Twins in the 2010 season (16 saves). While many Japanese pitchers have played in Korea, only a handful have taken on the closer role from their debut year and reached this milestone.
Ultimately, Yuto's performance proves that Kiwoom Heroes' "Asia Quota" strategy has hit 100%. Other teams are still struggling with how to best utilize the Asia Quota. In this context, Kiwoom brought in Yuto, who possesses reliable pitching ability, solving the "back door instability" issue that had plagued them after Jang Sang-woo (now with KIA Tigers) and Ju Seung-woo (currently undergoing surgery). For Kiwoom, which is aiming to escape last place, the "Yuto Effect" has firmly established itself as a reliable formula for victory.
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*This content was translated by AI.
