Hiroshima Toyo Carp's Tokoda Hiroki (30) achieved a complete game shutout without a single strikeout.

On the 3rd, Tokoda started the game against the Chunichi Dragons at Matsuda Zoom Zoom Stadium in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, where he pitched 9 innings, allowing 3 hits, 1 walk, and no runs to secure a complete game shutout.

In the first inning, Tokoda neatly wrapped up the inning with a 1-2-3, and in the second inning, he allowed a hit to Nakata Sho with two outs, but caught Kinoshita Takuya's fly ball to left field to end the inning. Afterwards, he extended his streak of 12 consecutive batters retired until two outs in the sixth inning. After allowing a hit to Okabayashi Yuki, Tokoda finished the inning without significant threat by inducing Yamamoto Yasuhiro into a groundout to the pitcher.

In the seventh inning, Tokoda allowed a hit to lead-off batter Uebayashi Seiji, but he caught Jason Vosler's fly ball to right field and induced Orlando Calister into a double play, escaping the threat. He had another 1-2-3 inning in the eighth.

In the ninth inning, Tokoda returned to the mound and allowed a walk to Hosokawa Seiya with two outs, but completed the shutout by catching Uebayashi's fly ball to center field. He recorded 107 pitches. Hiroshima won 2-0.

Tokoda has recorded 51 wins, 43 losses, and 1 hold in 132 career games (805 innings) in Japanese professional baseball, with an earned run average of 2.84. He has secured 11 wins in succession in 2023 and 2024, solidifying his position as a key starter for Hiroshima. This year, he has excelled with 3 wins and 2 losses in 6 games (47 innings) and an impressive ERA of 0.96. He has already achieved 3 complete games and 2 shutouts, ranking first in the league for complete games and tied for first in shutouts.

Japanese media Sports Hochi reported, "Hiroshima's Tokoda Hiroki secured his second complete game shutout of the season, ending the team's 7-game losing streak. He did not allow a single player to step on second base. With only 89 pitches thrown by the eighth inning, he was on the verge of a complete game shutout under 100 pitches, dubbed a 'Maddux,' but he regrettably missed it after allowing a walk in the ninth inning."

"Instead of missing the Maddux, Tokoda set a rare record," Sports Hochi noted, explaining, "A complete game shutout without a single strikeout is the first since Seibu's Makita Kazuhisa in 2013, and the first in the Central League since Yakult's Yano Kazuya in 1989. This rare record for Hiroshima is the first in 43 years since Yamane Kazuo in 1982."

Tokoda said, "I stepped on the mound with the mindset to win at all costs and the thought of throwing long innings no matter what. I was glad to pitch well until the end." He added regarding his increasing velocity in the ninth inning, "I felt a desire to finish under 100 pitches. I think I need to maintain my composure while pitching."

Tokoda, who achieved a complete game shutout without a single strikeout, stated, "I don't know if it's good or bad. However, our defense is doing very well, so it seems okay. I think the probability of an out is higher when you hit within 1-2 pitches rather than striking out. I pitched well today. I wanted to catch a strikeout at the end, but if it's not a critical situation, then it's not necessary. I felt really good today and was able to throw with rhythm."

"From the middle of the game, I realized I hadn’t caught a single strikeout," Tokoda noted, "and I thought that if I tried too hard to get a strikeout, it could backfire. I did feel a little greedy at the end, but I was able to maintain my rhythm. During my amateur days, I usually caught double-digit strikeouts when I threw a complete game. This is the first time for me," he laughed.

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