7/31/16: Puerto Rico vs Japan

Kairi Matsumura hits and pitches Japan to 3-2 victory

Kairi Matsumura was strong at the plate and on the rubber in carrying Japan to a 3-2 victory over Puerto Rico on Sunday at Cal Sr. Yard.

Matsumura racked up two RBIs on two hits for Japan. He doubled in the third inning and singled in the sixth inning.

Matsumura put together a nice outing. Matsumura held Puerto Rico hitless over six innings, allowed two earned runs, walked three and struck out nine.

The game was back-and-forth heading into the eighth, with five lead changes. Japan pulled out the win thanks to a strong eighth inning. Japan went up for good on an RBI single by Toya Idei off Renzo Gonaz‡lez, scoring Shogo Yoshida. A bright spot for Puerto Rico in the defeat was Lucas Torres, who allowed only two runs while striking out 13.

Keito Matsuura got the win in relief for Japan. Matsuura pitched two innings and allowed no runs.

Peter Vazguez ended up on the wrong side of the pitching decision, charged with the loss. He lasted just 1 2/3 innings, walked two, struck out four, and allowed one run.

The bottom of the third saw Japan take an early lead, 1-0. A double by Matsumura, bringing home Mikuta Katayama started the inning off.

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