Japan 4-3 Mexico: Yamamoto fires two RBIs to help Japan elude Mexico

Japan remained unbeaten on Tuesday at the U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup but it was not an easy task as they narrowly defeated Mexico 4-3 in Palmerston North, New Zealand. The Asian champions moved their record to 4-0 and secured the first place in Group B.

Rightfielder Kai Yamamoto was credited for two RBIs while Takuro Inagaki pitched Japan in seven innings with 7 strikeouts and 4 hits to get the win. Mexico’s Fabian Diaz struck out 3 in six innings and took the loss.

Japan jumped to an early 2-0 lead in the second off back-to-back sacrifices to the left from Senju Ogura and Kai Yamamoto.

But Mexico answered in the third inning when Abelardo Peñuelas fired a 3-run inside the park home run, giving Mexico the lead in the score.

However, in the bottom of the third Japan tied the game with a grounder to first base off the bat of Aoi Yamaguchi, to make it 3-3.

One inning later, Yamamoto sacrificed once more allowing Ogura to score the final run of the day for Japan and secure the win 4-3.

With this win Japan secured the first place in Group B.