Japan needed a walk-off hit in the bottom of the ninth to get a 4-3 victory against Spain. They are advancing into the next round with five wins.
The Japanese team took a fast 2-0 lead in the first inning and everything looked like an easy win. But the Spanish pitching staff held them down after that and the offense rallied in the sixth for three runs to turn the score in their direction. But the Asians came back. They tied the contest in the eighth and won it in the ninth.
Toshiyuki HAYASHI had two RBI. Kei NOMOTO got two hits.
Nestor PEREZ ALONSO drove in two for the Spanish team. Dewis NAVARRO and Juan GARCIA PAGAN were two for four.
Hideto ISOMURA allowed four hits and a walk in three innings. Koichi KOTAKA received the win.
Manuel OLIVERA gave up two hits, two runs and six base on balls in six innings. Jose Fernando GUTIERREZ took the loss.
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