World No. 1 Japan defeats No. 9 Puerto Rico in warm-up for Premier12
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<p>FUKUOKA, Japan – Samurai Japan starting pitcher Kenta Maeda (NPB – Hiroshima Toyo Carps) registered eight strikeouts in three innings to secure an 8-3 victory over Puerto Rico at the Fukuoka Dome Thursday night.</p>
<p>Japan National Team Manager Hiroki Kokubo worked out six pitchers against world No.9 Puerto Rico.</p>
<p>Six Samurai pitchers combined for 18 strikeouts in the game.</p>
<p>At the plate, Shogo Akiyama (NPB – Seibu Lions) hit a 2-run home run in the third inning for the game’s first runs.</p>
<p>Japan’s Yoshitomo Tsutsugo (NPB – DeNA Baystars) added solo home run in the eighth.</p>
<p>Puerto Rico produced two of its runs against highly rated pitcher, Shohei Ohtani.</p>
<p>The two nations will conclude their two-game exhibition series in Fukuoka tomorrow night before the official WBSC Premier12 global tournament opens.</p>
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