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Japan hits three homers in close 3-2 win against Czechia to advance

By From staff reports 2 min read

Tokyo, Japan showed in its last game against the Dominican Republic that its offense can hit and score runs. And it showed its power on Monday at Volunteer Stadium.

Japan hit not one, not two but three home runs in a 3-2 win against a tough Brno, Czechia team to advance to Tuesday's elimination bracket matchup with Tijuana, Mexico.

The loss eliminates Czechia from the tournament.

Czechia scored a run in the top of the first inning when Matyas Klimes hit a single and then went to second on a passed ball. Jan Luksicek then had an RBI single to put Czechia ahead, 1-0.

But in its first at-bat, Japan struck when Takeru Yorozu hit a home run to center and two batters later, Yunosuke Yabe had a home run to right to go ahead 2-1.

"I think it was very, very important to get the two runs (early)," Japan manager Masanori Takeda said. "I think if we couldn't get one, maybe the game is a different result."

Czechia would tie the game when Vojtech Kaspar scored on a wild pitch with two outs in the top of the fourth, 2-2.

But Japan struck again when Yabe crushed another home run, this time to centerfield in the bottom of the fourth.

Despite the loss, Czechia kept battling until the final out.

"That was what we were trying to teach our kids: the game ends with the last pitch, not before that," Czechia manager Michal Klimes said. "We think they played with their hearts and they really cared about the game, so we're happy about that."

Starting at /week.