In an opening day matchup that was packed with Japanese star power, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Ohtani had two hits and scored a pair of runs, while Yamamoto reigned on the mound with his splitter to help the defending World Series champions earn a 4-1 win over the Chicago Cubs in the MLB season opener at Tokyo Dome on March 18.
“The cheering of the fans gave us power,” said Yamamoto, who threw five innings of one-run ball to earn the win.
From the moment the Dodgers and Cubs landed in Japan, the Tokyo Series, as the opening games have been dubbed, has been part season opener, part celebration of the five Japanese stars on the two teams.
Ohtani, who has attracted by far the most attention of any player on the two clubs, finished 2-for-5. There were thousands of No. 17 jerseys in the stands and the reigning National League MVP heard rapturous applause from the 42,365 fans in attendance when his name was called during the player introductions.
Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga, who was making his first opening day start in MLB, threw four scoreless innings. (The Japan Times)
毎週届く！
