Hsu Jo-Hsi Dominates in NPB Farm League with 87-Pitch Complete Game Shutout and 10 Strikeouts

Taiwanese pitcher Hsu Jo-Hsi, playing for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks' farm team in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, delivered a dominant performance on the 22nd, throwing a complete game shutout in just 87 pitches with 10 strikeouts. This performance signals his readiness for a return to the top league, as he earned the win in his team's 2-0 victory. Facing the Hiroshima Toyo Carp's farm team, Hsu retired the first six batters before allowing a hit to Nakata Yuto, which was quickly neutralized by a double play. After allowing a double to Hayashi Kota with two outs in the bottom of the fourth, he did not allow another baserunner. Hsu pitched the full nine innings, retiring 16 consecutive batters after the hit in the fourth. He finished with a complete game in under 90 pitches, allowing only two hits, no runs, no walks, and striking out 10, bringing his ERA down to 1.42. Hsu had been sent to the farm team for adjustments after suffering his third loss of the season in the top league on May 4. In his first farm league start on May 15, he pitched five innings and allowed two runs, but today's outing was his most perfect performance since beginning his adjustment period, reaching a top speed of 154 km/h in the eighth inning.