Hiroki Tokoda Shuts Out Hanshin for Eight Innings, Beats His Favorite Pitcher for First Win Over Tigers

Hiroshima Carp left-hander Hiroki Tokoda turned in a dominant performance Tuesday night, holding the league-leading Hanshin Tigers scoreless over eight innings as Hiroshima won 3-1 at Koshien Stadium.

Tokoda allowed just four hits and no runs, earning his seventh victory of the season and tying him for the team lead. More importantly, his performance ended Hiroshima's three-game losing streak and gave the Carp a badly needed win to begin their September push.

The 31-year-old veteran controlled Hanshin's lineup from the early innings, mixing his breaking pitches effectively and consistently inducing weak contact.

The game itself was delayed by approximately 30 minutes because of rain that had continued from the previous day, but the conditions did little to affect Tokoda.

He did allow a first-inning single to leadoff hitter Yoshihiro Chikamoto, whom he had been particularly wary of, but escaped without allowing a run. From the second inning onward, Tokoda continued to attack primarily with his breaking pitches.

“There were a lot of fly balls today, but there wasn't much wind. From the middle of the game on, I was just trying to pitch carefully and make sure I didn't give up a home run.”

Tokoda completed the eighth inning by retiring the Tigers in order, leaving the packed Koshien crowd stunned into silence as he walked off the mound.

“It was good. More than anything, I'm just glad we won.”

A Seven-Year Reunion With His “Favorite” Pitcher

Tokoda's victory was even more satisfying because he outdueled Hiroto Takahashi, the pitcher he has openly described as his favorite.

Takahashi, who entered the game with a league-best 13 wins, had faced Tokoda only once before Tuesday. That meeting came on July 7, 2019, when Tokoda pitched seven innings of one-run ball while Takahashi threw eight scoreless innings. Hiroshima ultimately lost 1-0.

Tokoda still vividly remembers facing Takahashi as a hitter in that game and experiencing his fastball firsthand.

“I've been his biggest fan since he joined the league. He's the pitcher I've been rooting for the most.”

After seeing Takahashi's fastball up close seven years ago, Tokoda's reaction was simple:

“As expected, it was nasty.”

Takahashi subsequently dealt with a series of injuries, but Tokoda continued to watch his development from afar.

“I kept thinking, ‘I wonder how good a pitcher he'll become once he gets past all those injuries.’”

This season, Takahashi has finally been healthy and has emerged as one of the best pitchers in Japanese baseball, already leading both leagues with 13 victories.

Tokoda couldn't help but smile when reflecting on his longtime admiration for the Hanshin ace.

“I guess I have a good eye for pitchers.”

Tokoda Rises to the Occasion

Knowing how difficult it would be to score against Takahashi, Tokoda understood that the Carp could not afford to give Hanshin an early advantage.

“He's an extremely good pitcher, so it's difficult to score runs against him. I just wanted to make sure I didn't give up the first run and keep fighting. It happened to work out, but I'm glad I was able to do it.”

The two pitchers had not faced each other since their first meeting seven years ago, making Tuesday's matchup a rare reunion between two left-handed pitchers who have taken very different paths since 2019.

For Tokoda, beating a pitcher he has admired for years while helping Hiroshima snap a three-game skid made the night especially meaningful.

A Strong Start to September

Hiroshima manager Takahiro Arai has been asking his starters to work deep into games during the team's demanding stretch of consecutive games. Tokoda delivered exactly what his manager needed.

“It was a great pitching performance. His control was good, and he pitched with a good rhythm.”

Tokoda's September has also been a welcome change from the previous two seasons. He struggled badly in September in both 2024 and 2025, and has spoken about feeling responsible for the team's late-season decline.

This year, however, he is 2-0 in two September starts, showing signs that he may be putting those struggles behind him.

With Hiroshima fighting to stay in the postseason race, the Carp will need their left-handed ace to continue pitching like this.

And on a night when he finally got the chance to beat his favorite pitcher, Tokoda delivered perhaps exactly the kind of performance Hiroshima needed.