Veteran pitcher Kenta Maeda wins for the first time in 3,919 days in Japan's NPB

Veteran pitcher Kenta Maeda secured his first win of the season in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league with a stellar performance on Wednesday. The 38-year-old, who returned to Japanese baseball this year after concluding his MLB career, pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing only three hits and striking out six batters for the Rakuten Eagles.

Maeda's dominant outing led the Eagles to a 2-0 victory over the league-leading Seibu Lions. He threw 114 pitches in his masterful display, showcasing the form that made him a successful pitcher in Major League Baseball for teams like the Dodgers, Twins, and Tigers, where he accumulated 68 wins.

This win is particularly significant for Maeda, as it marks his first victory in the NPB's top division in 3,919 days, dating back to October 2, 2015. He had previously struggled in his return, posting three losses in six appearances before Wednesday's game. With this win, Maeda now stands at 98 career victories in the NPB, moving him just two wins away from the prestigious 100-win milestone.