Baseball: Wild Card Series between Padres and Cubs

Baseball: Wild Card Series between Padres and Cubs

Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga (R) is pictured during a mound visit in the fourth inning of Game 2 of the Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres on Oct. 1, 2025, at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

Baseball: Wild Card Series between Padres and Cubs

Baseball: Wild Card Series between Padres and Cubs

Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga (R) is pictured during a mound visit in the fourth inning of Game 2 of the Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres on Oct. 1, 2025, at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Orioles

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Orioles

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani leaves the mound in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland, on Sept. 5, 2025.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Orioles

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Orioles

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani leaves the mound in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland, on Sept. 5, 2025.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Orioles

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Orioles

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani leaves the mound in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland, on Sept. 5, 2025.

Baseball: Orioles vs. Giants

Baseball: Orioles vs. Giants

Baltimore Orioles starter Tomoyuki Sugano (far R) is pulled from the mound by manager Tony Mansolino (36) during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Aug. 31, 2025.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Rockies

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Rockies

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (R) is pictured in the dugout after leaving the mound following the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies on Aug. 20, 2025, at Coors Field in Denver.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Reds

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Reds

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani leaves the mound in the middle of the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds on July 30, 2025, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Reds

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Reds

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani leaves the mound in the middle of the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds on July 30, 2025, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Reds

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Reds

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani leaves the mound in the middle of the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds on July 30, 2025, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Reds

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Reds

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani leaves the mound in the middle of the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds on July 30, 2025, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, with manager Dave Roberts (3rd from L) looking on.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Reds

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Reds

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani leaves the mound in the middle of the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds on July 30, 2025, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, with manager Dave Roberts (C, L) looking on.

Baseball: Diamondbacks vs. Padres

Baseball: Diamondbacks vs. Padres

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt (8) walks up to the mound to take starter Yu Darvish (3rd from R) out of the game against Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning on July 7, 2025, at Petco Park in San Diego, California.

Baseball: Yankees vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Yankees vs. Dodgers

Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers sits in the dugout after leaving the mound in the middle of the fourth inning in a baseball game against the New York Yankees at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on June 1, 2025.

Baseball: Phillies vs. Cubs

Baseball: Phillies vs. Cubs

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga heads to the mound in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies on July 3, 2024, at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

Baseball: MLB Seoul Series

Baseball: MLB Seoul Series

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish leaves the mound during the fourth inning of the first game of MLB's season-opening two-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Seoul's Gocheok Sky Dome on March 20, 2024.

Baseball: Angels vs. Phillies

Baseball: Angels vs. Phillies

Philadelphia Phillies players gather around the pitcher's mound as Shohei Ohtani (back) of the Los Angeles Angels comes up to bat with runners in scoring position during the fourth inning of a baseball game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Aug. 28, 2023.

Mirror discovered at ancient Japan tomb

Mirror discovered at ancient Japan tomb

Photo taken on Jan. 20, 2023, in Kashihara, Nara Prefecture, shows a shield-shaped mirror excavated from the fourth century Tomio-Maruyama tomb mound in the western Japan city of Nara in November 2022. The 5.7-kilogram mirror, which is 64 centimeters in length and 31 cm in width at its widest, is the largest bronze mirror ever found in Japan, according to the city's board of education and an archeological institute that supported the excavation.

Rivera's last pitch at home

Rivera's last pitch at home

NEW YORK, United States - New York Yankees' retiring closer Mariano Rivera (L) leaves the mound after pitching for the last time in New York in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 26, 2013. Second from left is left-hander Andy Pettitte and fourth from left is captain Derek Jeter.

Red Sox's Matsuzaka logs 4th victory

Red Sox's Matsuzaka logs 4th victory

BOSTON, United States - Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka starts in a game against the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park in Boston on June 2, 2010. Matsuzaka was on the mound for 6 2/3 innings as his team won 6-4, scoring his fourth victory this season.

Red Sox's Matsuzaka logs 4th victory

Red Sox's Matsuzaka logs 4th victory

BOSTON, United States - Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka starts in a game against the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park in Boston on June 2, 2010. Matsuzaka was on the mound for 6 2/3 innings as his team won 6-4, scoring his fourth victory this season.

Red Sox's Matsuzaka logs 4th victory

Red Sox's Matsuzaka logs 4th victory

BOSTON, United States - Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka starts in a game against the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park in Boston on June 2, 2010. Matsuzaka was on the mound for 6 2/3 innings as his team won 6-4, scoring his fourth victory this season.

Red Sox's Matsuzaka logs 4th victory

Red Sox's Matsuzaka logs 4th victory

BOSTON, United States - Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka starts in a game against the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park in Boston on June 2, 2010. Matsuzaka was on the mound for 6 2/3 innings as his team won 6-4, scoring his fourth victory this season.

Red Sox's Matsuzaka logs 4th victory

Red Sox's Matsuzaka logs 4th victory

BOSTON, United States - Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka starts in a game against the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park in Boston on June 2, 2010. Matsuzaka was on the mound for 6 2/3 innings as his team won 6-4, scoring his fourth victory this season.

Red Sox's Matsuzaka logs 4th victory

Red Sox's Matsuzaka logs 4th victory

BOSTON, United States - Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka starts in a game against the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park in Boston on June 2, 2010. Matsuzaka was on the mound for 6 2/3 innings as his team won 6-4, scoring his fourth victory this season.

Stone chamber of ancient tomb in early Yamato dynasty unveiled

Stone chamber of ancient tomb in early Yamato dynasty unveiled

KASHIHARA, Japan - The roof of a red-colored stone chamber, excavated at the ancient Sakurai Chausu-yama tomb mound in Sakurai, Nara Prefecture, is covered with large pieces of stone. Japanese archaeologists showed to the media the stone chamber on Oct. 22, 2009. The site is believed to date back to the late third to early fourth century.

Japan beats U.S. 9-4 in WBC semifinal in Los Angeles

Japan beats U.S. 9-4 in WBC semifinal in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, United States - United States starting pitcher Roy Oswalt (L) leaves the mound after being removed in the fourth inning of the World Baseball Classic semifinal against Japan at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on March 22. Japan won 9-4 and will play South Korea in the WBC final.

4th-inning nightmare hands Matsuzaka 2nd loss

4th-inning nightmare hands Matsuzaka 2nd loss

TORONTO, Canada - Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka (C) talks with pitching coach John Farrell and catcher Jason Varitek on the mound in the fourth inning of a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Center on April 17. Matsuzaka lost his second straight start as the Red Sox fell 2-1 to the Blue Jays.

Sasaki earns 20th save

Sasaki earns 20th save

SEATTLE, United States - Closer Kazuhiro Sasaki reacts after earning his 20th save of the season in the Seattle Mariners' 2-1 triumph over the Minnesota Twins at Safeco Field on July 4. It was his fourth mound appearance in five days. (MLB)

Baseball: Angels vs. Rangers

Baseball: Angels vs. Rangers

Los Angeles Angels two-way player Shohei Ohtani (R) walks off the mound as manager Joe Maddon makes a pitching change during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers on April 14, 2022, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

Baseball: Angels vs. Rangers

Baseball: Angels vs. Rangers

Los Angeles Angels two-way player Shohei Ohtani (R) walks off the mound as manager Joe Maddon makes a pitching change during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers on April 14, 2022, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

Baseball: Angels vs. Rangers

Baseball: Angels vs. Rangers

Los Angeles Angels two-way player Shohei Ohtani (R) walks off the mound as manager Joe Maddon makes a pitching change during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers on April 14, 2022, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

Baseball: Blue Jays vs. Yankees

Baseball: Blue Jays vs. Yankees

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (R) walks off the mound after being relieved during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees on April 12, 2022, at Yankee Stadium in New York.

Baseball: Angels vs. Astros

Baseball: Angels vs. Astros

Shohei Ohtani (C) of the Los Angeles Angels walks off the mound during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros on Sept. 10, 2021, at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, with manager Joe Maddon seen on the right.

Baseball: Angels vs. Astros

Baseball: Angels vs. Astros

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels walks off the mound during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros on Sept. 10, 2021, at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas.

Baseball: Angels vs. Astros

Baseball: Angels vs. Astros

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels walks off the mound during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros on Sept. 10, 2021, at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas.

Baseball: Angels vs. Astros

Baseball: Angels vs. Astros

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels walks off the mound during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros on Sept. 10, 2021, at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, with manager Joe Maddon seen on the right.

Tokyo Olympics: Baseball

Tokyo Olympics: Baseball

Japanese players gather on the mound after pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (3rd from L) allowed United States to tie the game at 2-2 in fourth inning of their Tokyo Olympic second-round game at Yokohama baseball stadium near Tokyo on Aug. 2, 2021. (Kyodo)(SELECTION) ==Kyodo

Tanaka pitches against Braves in spring training game

Tanaka pitches against Braves in spring training game

New York Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka (back) strikes out Atlanta Braves infielder Freddie Freeman during the first inning of a spring training game in Orlando, the United States, on March 18, 2015. Tanaka pitched 45 balls until he left the mound in the middle of the fourth inning without giving up any runs. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Tanaka pitches against Braves in spring training game

Tanaka pitches against Braves in spring training game

New York Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka pitches during a spring training game against the Atlanta Braves in Orlando, the United States, on March 18, 2015. Tanaka pitched 45 balls until he left the mound during the middle of the fourth inning without giving up any runs. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Maeda stung for 1st runs of preseason

Maeda stung for 1st runs of preseason

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts walks to the mound to make a pitching change in the fourth inning of a spring training game against the Chicago White Sox in Glendale, Arizona, on March 15, 2016. Kenta Maeda allowed two unearned runs and four hits in 3-2/3 innings as the Dodgers lost 8-6. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Cubs beaten in NLCS 4th game, Mets advance to World Series

Cubs beaten in NLCS 4th game, Mets advance to World Series

Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon (C) gives a pep talk on the mound after replacing pitcher Jason Hammel during the second inning of a 8-3 loss to the New York Mets in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series in Chicago on Oct. 21, 2015. It was the fourth straight win in the NLCS for the Mets, who reached the World Series for the first time in 15 years. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Baseball season starts in Japan

Baseball season starts in Japan

The pro baseball season started in Japan on March 27, 2015. Photo taken in the southwestern city of Fukuoka shows Softbank Hawks right-hander Tadashi Settsu, who took the mound in the opening game for the fourth straight year. The Hawks were the national champions last season. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Tanaka pitches against Braves in spring training game

Tanaka pitches against Braves in spring training game

New York Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka pitches during a spring training game against the Atlanta Braves in Orlando, the United States, on March 18, 2015. Tanaka pitched 45 balls until he left the mound during the middle of the fourth inning without giving up any runs. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Tanaka pitches against Braves in spring training game

Tanaka pitches against Braves in spring training game

New York Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka (back) strikes out Atlanta Braves infielder Freddie Freeman during the first inning of a spring training game in Orlando, the United States, on March 18, 2015. Tanaka pitched 45 balls until he left the mound in the middle of the fourth inning without giving up any runs. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

4th-inning nightmare hands Matsuzaka 2nd loss

4th-inning nightmare hands Matsuzaka 2nd loss

TORONTO, Canada - Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka (C) talks with pitching coach John Farrell and catcher Jason Varitek on the mound in the fourth inning of a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Center on April 17. Matsuzaka lost his second straight start as the Red Sox fell 2-1 to the Blue Jays. (Kyodo)

Japan beats U.S. 9-4 in WBC semifinal in Los Angeles

Japan beats U.S. 9-4 in WBC semifinal in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, United States - United States starting pitcher Roy Oswalt (L) leaves the mound after being removed in the fourth inning of the World Baseball Classic semifinal against Japan at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on March 22. Japan won 9-4 and will play South Korea in the WBC final. (Kyodo)

Stone chamber of ancient tomb in early Yamato dynasty unveiled

Stone chamber of ancient tomb in early Yamato dynasty unveiled

KASHIHARA, Japan - The roof of a red-colored stone chamber, excavated at the ancient Sakurai Chausu-yama tomb mound in Sakurai, Nara Prefecture, is covered with large pieces of stone. Japanese archaeologists showed to the media the stone chamber on Oct. 22, 2009. The site is believed to date back to the late third to early fourth century. (Kyodo)

Red Sox's Matsuzaka logs 4th victory

Red Sox's Matsuzaka logs 4th victory

BOSTON, United States - Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka starts in a game against the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park in Boston on June 2, 2010. Matsuzaka was on the mound for 6 2/3 innings as his team won 6-4, scoring his fourth victory this season. (Kyodo)

Red Sox's Matsuzaka logs 4th victory

Red Sox's Matsuzaka logs 4th victory

BOSTON, United States - Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka starts in a game against the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park in Boston on June 2, 2010. Matsuzaka was on the mound for 6 2/3 innings as his team won 6-4, scoring his fourth victory this season. (Kyodo)