Japan’s Yumeto Kanemaru pitches against South Korea during a baseball game at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 16, 2025. (Mainichi/Ririko Maeda)
TOKYO (Kyodo) — Taiki Ishikami plated three runs while Taisei Ota gave up a ninth-inning run as Japan tied 7-7 with South Korea on Sunday in the second game of their international series.
Second baseman Ishikami drew a bases-loaded walk as Japan scored three runs to tie 3-3 in the top of the fourth inning at Tokyo Dome before the DeNA BayStar singled in two runs in the fifth, again with the bases loaded, for a 6-4 lead for Samurai Japan.
Japan starter Yumeto Kanemaru surrendered three runs on three hits and two walks over three innings, while his Chunichi Dragons teammate Hiroto Takahashi gave up two runs on two hits, two walks and a hit batsman over two innings after taking the mound in the seventh as fourth reliever.
Japan benefited from 12 walks issued by South Korea’s seven pitchers but failed to get the win after the Yomiuri Giants right-hander Ota allowed a solo home run to Kim Ju Won with two out in the bottom of the ninth.
“It ended in a tie as we didn’t score when we had the opportunity,” skipper Hirokazu Ibata said as Japan, which won the first game of the series 11-4 on Saturday, readies to defend the World Baseball Classic title next spring.
“There are some issues. We’ll look to get prepared by March, taking those things into account.”