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Padres win the district series for the first time in 24 years! "Defeat the Dodgers"

 Former Nippon-Hamster Martin climbs up to Dodgers closer

　The major leagues are in the heat of the playoffs. It is a year in which the activities of the “former helpers” shine in each team. Former Nippon Ham pitcher Chris Martin, who has been pitching for the Dodgers since the middle of this season, is one of them. In the Padres match held on the 11th (Japan time 12th), when he pitched in the 9th inning, he allowed 1 hit and no runs in the 1st inning. Recorded his first postseason save. The local newspaper "Los Angeles Times" pointed out that "the economic leeway of the Japanese era gave him the opportunity to improve," and that playing at Nippon-Ham was the catalyst for his leap.

　The Dodgers have 22 saves this season and 394 all-time saves, leaving No. 7-ranked Craig Kimbrel off the series roster. Martin, who replaced him in the closer, is 36 years old. The article notes that Martin's playoff save "was not the role he envisioned when the Dodgers traded him."

　But in Kimbrel's absence, the Dodgers focus on opponents, analysis, and deciding who throws in the bullpen. Martin has a special regard for throwing the 9th inning as a closer, and "I'd be lying if I said it wasn't." He plans to cherish the commemorative ball delivered to the locker, saying, "Maybe I'll put it in the garage."

　Martin has lived a baseball life with ups and downs to date. He was drafted by the Tigers in 2004 and the Rockies in 2005, but did not get a contract.