Japan tops China to capture Group B in World Baseball Classic

Japan tops China to capture Group B in World Baseball Classic
10/03/2017

TOKYO – Yomiuri Giants’ Siji Kobayahsi and Nippon-Ham Fighters’ Sho Nakata both had 2-run home runs in No. 1 Japan’s 7-1 win over No. 18 China before 40,053 fans at the Tokyo Dome.

TOKYO – Yomiuri Giants’ Siji Kobayahsi and Nippon-Ham Fighters’ Sho Nakata both had 2-run home runs in No. 1 Japan’s 7-1 win over No. 18 China before 40,053 fans at the Tokyo Dome.

SoftBank Hawks starting pitcher Shota Takeda had three strikeouts over three innings to earn the win.

WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup former stars Shintaro Fujinami (2012) and Yuku Matsui (2013) combined for seven strikeouts in three innings pitched for Japan,.

Japan, the top seed from Group B, will face No. 9 Netherlands in Tokyo to begin the second-round on Sunday.