All Japan starter Shotaro Kasahara pitches against MLB All-Stars in Game 6 at their All-Stars Series baseball at Nagoya Dome in Nagoya, central Japan, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018. Kasahara struck out four and gave up four hits over 4 2/3 scoreless innings for Japan's 4-1 win. (Kyodo News via AP)
The Associated Press
NAGOYA, Japan (AP) - Sosuke Genda drove in three runs with a bases-clearing triple as Japan beat the MLB All-Stars 4-1 in the final of their six-game exhibition series on Thursday.
Genda tripled down the right field line off MLB starter Brian Johnson, and Ryosuke Kikuchi made it 4-0 on a sacrifice fly as Japan did all of its scoring in the second inning at Nagoya Dome.
Japan was using the series to gauge the progress its young players as it prepares for the baseball tournament at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
"We used a lot of young players in this series and it was a valuable experience for them," Japan manager Atsunori Inaba said. "I hope they use this experience to continue making progress."
Japan starter Shotaro Kasahara struck out four and gave up four hits over 4 2/3 scoreless innings for the win as Japan improved to 5-1 in the series. Yasuaki Yamasaki retired the side in order in the ninth for the save.
Johnson took the loss after giving up all four runs.
National League rookie of the year Ronald Acuna Jr. got the MLB on the scoreboard with a solo homer to right in the eighth off Yu Sato.
The MLB threatened after Acuna's homer but Sato pitched out of a bases-loaded jam.
"They play the game the right way," MLB manager Don Mattingly said of Japan. "They have a lot of hitters who can put the ball in play and give you a lot of looks, and their pitchers have always been one of their strengths."
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All Japan's Sosuke Genda hits a three-run triple off MLB All-Star starter Brian Johnson of the Boston Red Sox in the second inning of Game 6 at their All-Stars Series baseball at Nagoya Dome in Nagoya, central Japan, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018. Japan won 4-1. (Kyodo News via AP)
The Associated Press
All Japan's Sosuke Genda slides into third base while hitting a three-run triple off MLB All-Star starter Brian Johnson of the Boston Red Sox in the second inning of Game 6 at their All-Stars Series baseball at Nagoya Dome in Nagoya, central Japan, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018. Japan won 4-1. (Kyodo News via AP)
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All Japan closer Yasuaki Yamasaki pitches against MLB All-Stars in the ninth inning of Game 6 at their All-Stars Series baseball at Nagoya Dome in Nagoya, central Japan, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018. Japan won 4-1. (Kyodo News via AP)
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All Japan closer Yasuaki Yamasaki, back facing camera, celebrates with teammates on the mound after beating MLB All-Stars 4-1 in Game 6 at their All-Stars Series baseball at Nagoya Dome in Nagoya, central Japan, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018. Japan improved to 5-1 in the series. (Kyodo News via AP)
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MLB All-Star Ronald Acuna Jr. of the Atlanta Braves hits a solo home-run off All Japan pitcher Masaru Sato as Japan's catcher Takuya Kai, left, watches in the eighth inning of Game 6 at their All-Stars Series baseball at Nagoya Dome in Nagoya, central Japan, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018. (Kyodo News via AP)
The Associated Press