Box score
TOKYO — Home runs by Sho Nakata (Nippon Ham Fighters – NPB) and Yoshitomo Tsutsugo (Yokohama DeNA BayStars – NPB) powered No. 1 Japan past No. 10 Australia, 4-1, at the Tokyo Dome.
Australia struck first in the bottom of the 2nd inning when Allan de San Miguel (Kanas City Royals AA – MLB) hit a solo home run off Japan ace Tomoyuki Sugano (Yomiuri Giants – NPB).
Hayato Sakamoto (Yomiuri Giants – NPB) doubled to lead off the 5th inning and eventually tied the game, 1-1, scoring on a sac-fly from Nobuhiro Matsuda (Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks – NPB).
Aussie and Japan relievers kept the game quiet until the seventh when Sho Nakata started the inning with a solo home run that put Japan ahead 2-1 and electrified the 41,408 in attendance.
In the 8th inning, Tsutsugo belted a 2-run home run – his second blast of the global tournament – for the final scoring of the contest.
Japan pitcher Kodai Senga (SoftBank Hawks) struck out four and was clocked as high as 95 MPH/153 KM/h over two innings of relief to earn the win.
Aussie starter Tim Atherton (Canberra Calvary – ABL), who was impressive in his four innings on the mound, received a no-decision.
Australia will face No. 18 China in Group B’s only game on Thursday, while Groups C and D open in Miami and Jalisco.
