Baseball: Miyanishi sets relief appearance record as Fighters cruise
KITAHIROSHIMA, Japan (Kyodo) -- Left-hander Naoki Miyanishi set a Nippon Professional Baseball record of 880 consecutive appearances in relief Thursday as he helped the Nippon Ham Fighters beat the Orix Buffaloes 7-0.
The 39-year-old, who has been with the Fighters since his professional debut in 2008, moved above former Chunichi Dragons lefty Hitoki Iwase to set the landmark with his 11th game this season.
"It's not just a record for myself, and I want everyone to enjoy it," said Miyanishi (1-0), while addressing the home fans at Es Con Field Hokkaido.
"While I'm waiting in the bullpen, I'm watching the game relaxed and without feeling nervous in order to give all I have once I get on the mound."
The veteran came on with two out and a runner on third in the seventh and got Ryoma Nishikawa to ground out to get out of the jam, keeping the game scoreless.
Yuya Gunji's bases-loaded, two-run single gave the Fighters the lead in the home half before he singled in two more runs in the Fighters' five-run eighth.
Miyanishi became the first player in NPB to rack up 400 holds last August.
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