The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters rediscovered some of their missing power in time to welcome Masahiro Tanaka back to Japan.
Sho Nakata hit a two-run homer in the first inning, Kazunari Ishii went deep in the second and the Fighters spoiled Tanaka¡¯s season debut with a 4-1 win over the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles on Saturday afternoon at Tokyo Dome.
¡°He¡¯s a pitcher who represents Japan, he¡¯s an amazing pitcher,¡± Nakata said of his homer in the first inning. ¡°I just connected and I¡¯m glad I got that hit.¡±
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