The Major League Baseball All-Stars team overpowered Japanese side Yomiuri Giants 9-6 on Thursday to warm up for a six-game exhibition against the Japanese national team.
Juan Soto hit a double to add Yadier Molina’s second-inning scores to lead the All-Stars 4-0 up. J. T. Realmuto added two more while Rosario hit a banger to extend the lead 7-0.
“This is awesome, we don’t do this in the United States so I’m really excited to be here with you guys,” Realmuto said in a ‘hero’s interview in front of the crowd. “Hopefully, I can keep hitting well and be here with you again.”
The Giants got their first score in the fourth inning after Seiya Matsubara made an incredible run around the bases to narrow down the team’s scores to 7-4. The teams added two more points each to end the game 9-6.
MLB will showcase an exhibition starting with three games over the weekend in Tokyo followed by one game on Tuesday in Hiroshima. The team will complete the exhibition on Wednesday with two games in Nagoya.
Unlike most MLB games, pitchers will be limited to 80 pitches per games. Players who complete 50 or more pitches will also be mandated to a 4-day rest before playing again.
