Chunichi Dragons closer Hitoki Iwase set a Japanese baseball record with his 287th career save in a 5-2 win over the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks on Thursday.
The 36-year-old left-hander threw a perfect ninth inning to earn his 11th save of the season and break a tie with former Tokyo Yakult Swallows closer Shingo Takatsu on the all-time saves list.
"I'm glad I converted my first chance (at save No. 287)," Iwase said.