Takahiro Mahara (馬原 孝浩, Mahara Takahiro, born December 8, 1981 in Kumamoto, Kumamoto) is a right-handed pitcher for the Orix Buffaloes in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Originally a starter, Mahara was converted to a closer partway through 2005 season and has been an efficient closer since then.

Takahiro Mahara
Mahara with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
Pitcher
Born: (1981-12-08) December 8, 1981 (age 40) Kumamoto, Japan
Batted: Right Threw: Right
NPB debut
March 30, 2004, for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks
Last appearance
May 1, 2015, for the Orix Buffaloes
NPB statistics (through 2015)
Win–loss record	23-31
Earned Run Average	2.83
Strikeouts	455
Saves	182
Teams
Fukuoka Daiei Hawks/Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (2004–2012) Orix Buffaloes (2013–2015)
Career highlights and awards
Pacific League Saves Champion (2007) 3× NPB All-Star (2006, 2007, 2010)
Medals Representing  Japan Men's Baseball World Baseball Classic 2006 San Diego Team 2009 Los Angeles Team

His best season was in 2007, when Mahara broke the team record for saves by recording 38 and also recording a 1.47 ERA. The previous record-holder was Rodney Pedraza, who had 35 saves in 2000. Mahara did not blow a save until late in the season, when Orix Buffaloes slugger Tuffy Rhodes cracked a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 9th at Skymark Stadium.

With the exception of the 2008 season when he missed half the season due to injury, Mahara has recorded at least 22 saves each year since 2005.

In 2011, he was in a slump and become losing pitcher in two games in Nippon Series. In 2012, he was injured and he didn't play any games. He was traded to Orix Buffaloes in the off season.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference (Minors)
• NPB.com