Japan rode a six-run sixth inning to blow past China 10-0 in seven innings on Tuesday night at the Wukesong Baseball Field 2.
On a night following an emotionally draining game versus the US, China (1-6) looked to redeem themselves, but their pitching just couldn’t get past the Japan (4-2) bats and their bats couldn't find an answer for Hideaki Wakui.
Atsunori Inaba reached via walk with one out in the bottom of the second inning to get Japan started on Chinese starting pitcher Nan Wang. And with two outs and only one runner on base, Wang surrendered consecutive RBI doubles by Takahiko Sato and Akihiro Yano, and an RBI single to Tsuyoshi Nishioka to put three runs on the board early.
Jiangang LV inherited runners on first and second with no outs in the bottom of the third as he replaced Wang after surrendering consecutive walks to Japan with not outs. LV forced a double play against his first batter but watched as Inaba slammed an RBI double to centerfield bringing the Japan lead to 4-0.
But Japan was not finished as they posted a six spot in the bottom of the sixth to put the game out of reach for team China.
The six-run inning was highlighted by a Nishioka two-run homerun, RBI doubles by Hiroyuku Nakajima and Takahiro Arai, singles by Masaharo Araki and Inaba, two wild pitches and two walks. Overall, the Japanese bats were patient and fierce against the Chinese bull pen all evening.
Hideaki Wakui (1-0) picked up the win for team Japan as he went seven scoreless innings, allowing two hits with six strikeouts. Nan Wang (0-2) suffered the defeat for China as he gave up four runs in two innings of work.
Wednesday highlights the final day of preliminary play for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Baseball Tournament. Japan will take on the USA at 19:00 at the Wukesong Baseball Main Field in a game that will determine which team will face Korea and which team will face Cuba in the medal round.
China will face Cuba at 10:30 at the Wukesong Baseball Field 2 for their final game of the tournament.
For more information please visit www.ibaf.org.
Game Notes: Mr. Shun-ichiro Okano, member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Mr. Ken Schanzer, President of NBC Sports threw out the ceremonial first pitch before this morning/this afternoon’s game.
Tonight's attendance was 1,680.
Source: IBAF