Japan earned a combined Perfect Game against Team Europe
The second game of Global Baseball Games between Team Europe and Japan was played on Thursday. And if you watch it, you witnessed a historical moment, the part of which were Marek Chlup, Martin Mužík, and Martin Červenka who played the entire game.
Japan started with the young Yumeto Kanemaru who showed why he is considered one of the largest talents of this year’s NPB draft. He didn’t allow any runners on bases in the first two innings and he striked out 4 batters. Kanemaru should be a part of the Japanese team which will play at Prague Baseball Week, which is a great invitation to the event.
Japanese batters, instead, pressed in the first inning, where they had two runners on bases without an out. However, Team Europe managed to handle the situation and played a double play. The second inning was started by an error from Alex Liddi, which Japan turned into a 1-0 lead.
Yuudai Yamamoto otevřel skóre utkání sebeobětujícím odpalem ve druhé směně.#GlobalBaseballGames pic.twitter.com/86LfP5hzhE
— Milujeme Baseball (@MilujemeBasebal) March 7, 2024
After Kanemaru’s substitution Japan’s relievers continued in great performances as they didn’t allow Europeans on bases. Furthermore, they were helped by the fielding players. Probably the most exquisite moment came from Nishikawa in the seventh inning.
Chihiro Sumida also had a rare immaculate inning with 9 pitches.
Chihiro Sumida with an immaculate inning! Japan is now 9 outs away from throwing a perfect game against Team Europe pic.twitter.com/YG3t8ERbrc
— Jeff (@INTLBaseball24) March 7, 2024
European pitcher also had a good game as they kept Japan to only one run till the eighth inning. Then it was Valerio who didn’t expect the ball bounce and hosts used it to score the second run.
Almost 26 000 fans in Kyocera Dome in Osaka witnessed a historical moment in the end, since Japanese pitchers didn’t allow any runners on a base and earned a combined Perfect Game. This came thanks to Yumeto Kanemaru, Yuto Nakamura, Shinya Matsuyama, Shota Watanabe, Chihiro Sumida and Atsuki Taneichi.
