World Baseball Classic Pool A: Japan – China 4-0
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The 2006 World Baseball Classic champion Japan started into the 2009 event with an easy 4-0 shutout against China in the opener at the Tokyo Dome in front of a frenzy home crowd. However the victory wasn’t as dominant as three years ago, although the win never was in danger.
Team Nippon needed until the third inning to get some runs on the board. Norichika Aoki drove in Hiroyuki Nakajima, when Chinese center fielder Lingfeng Sun misplayed the single. Shuichi Murata, who had missed a homerun in his first at bat in the opening frame, followed two batters later with a two-run shot to built a 3-0 advantage. Japan added a fourth run in the sixth on a balk call.
Japan’s starter Yu Darvish (W 1-0) didn’t disappoint, allowing just one walk in four hitless innings, striking out three. Fei Feng ended the no-hit bid in the fifth against the first of five relievers, who closed out the win. Chenhao Li (L 0-1) gave up four hits, three runs and three base on balls in three innings. Chinese pitching impressed throughout the game, holding the offense of the favorite in check.
Both teams now will await the outcome of tomorrow’s matchup between Korea and Taiwan. Japan will take on the winner, China the loser on Saturday.