Hanshin Tigers' Rafael Dolis Makes History with 100th NPB Save at Age 38

On May 2, 2026, during the "Traditional Rivalry" match against the Yomiuri Giants at Hanshin Koshien Stadium, Hanshin Tigers pitcher Rafael Dolis reached a monumental milestone by recording his 100th career save in NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball). Dolis became the 39th player in history to achieve this feat. At 38 years and 3 months old, he also set a new record as the oldest player to reach the century mark for saves.

The Tigers took control early in the game. Starting pitcher Kotaro Otake delivered a steady performance to earn his second win of the season, while slugger Teruaki Sato dominated at the plate. Sato went 4-for-5 with two RBIs, including his eighth solo home run of the year, pushing his season batting average above the .400 mark.

However, the final inning brought unexpected drama. Leading 7-1, reliever Moreta took the mound in the ninth but struggled as the Giants mounted a fierce comeback, narrowing the gap to just two runs. In this high-pressure situation, Dolis emerged from the bullpen. Displaying the poise of a veteran closer, he successfully snuffed out the rally to end the game and secure his historic record with his own hands.

As news of the milestone at the "sacred ground" of Koshien spread, social media was flooded with celebratory messages from fans, such as "Congratulations on 100 saves, Dolis!" and "Coming in and shutting it down in that situation—true class." By halting their losing streak with this dramatic victory, and with their veteran closer making history alongside their star hitter's red-hot form, the excitement among Tigers fans has reached a fever pitch.

The Context

The matchup between the Hanshin Tigers and the Yomiuri Giants is known as the "Traditional Rivalry" (Dento no Issen), often compared to the historic rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox in MLB. Hanshin Koshien Stadium, the Tigers' home field, is considered the "sacred ground" of Japanese baseball, as it also hosts the prestigious national high school baseball tournaments. Rafael Dolis, a Dominican pitcher who has had multiple successful stints in Japan, has become a cornerstone of the Tigers' bullpen. Achieving 100 saves is a significant milestone in NPB, and doing so as the oldest player in history underscores his remarkable longevity and consistency in the high-pressure role of a closer.