World No. 1 Japan defeats No. 9 Puerto Rico in warm-up for Premier12

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.

Japan National Team Manager Hiroki Kokubo worked out six pitchers against world No.9 Puerto Rico.

Six Samurai pitchers combined for 18 strikeouts in the game.

At the plate, Shogo Akiyama (NPB – Seibu Lions) hit a 2-run home run in the third inning for the game’s first runs.

Japan’s Yoshitomo Tsutsugo (NPB – DeNA Baystars) added solo home run in the eighth.

Puerto Rico produced two of its runs against highly rated pitcher, Shohei Ohtani.

The two nations will conclude their two-game exhibition series in Fukuoka tomorrow night before the official WBSC Premier12 global tournament opens.