MLB Romps Again, Seeks Sweep; Iwamura Coming to America
November 7, 2006 by Geoff Young
Filed under Global Baseball
Powered once again by the bat of Ryan Howard, MLB defeated Nippon Professional Baseball, 7-2, in Game 4 of the Japan All-Star Series, held in Osaka. Sparked by a Howard solo homer — his fourth in as many games — MLB scored five runs in the eighth inning to break a 2-2 tie and win its fourth straight game in Japan.
David Wright also hit a home run — his second of the series — and Jose Reyes added two hits for MLB. Chris Young started for MLB but lasted just 3 2/3 innings (presumably he had a pitch count), with Brett Myers picking up the win in relief.
The two teams meet for the finale early Wednesday morning North America time. Game 5 will be played in Fukuoka, home of the SoftBank Hawks and Seattle Mariners catcher Kenji Johjima.
In other news from Japan, Yakult Swallows third baseman Akinori Iwamuri has been posted, officially clearing the way for his arrival in North America. MLB teams must submit their bids for negotiating rights by Friday at 5 p.m. ET. The San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and possibly the Chicago Cubs are believed to be interested in the services of Iwamura. Although he isn’t getting quite the coverage that Daisuke Matsuzaka is receiving, Iwamura is thought to be a potential impact player on this side of the Pacific as well.
