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\nSeishiro Sakamoto hits a game-tying single for Japan in the fifth inning of a warm-up game against the Chunichi Dragons at Vantelin Dome Nagoya on Feb. 28, 2026. (Kyodo) <\/p>\n
\n NAGOYA (Kyodo) — Shugo Maki and Shota Morishita delivered solo home runs for Samurai Japan in a 7-3 comeback win over the Chunichi Dragons on Saturday in preparation for the World Baseball Classic.
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\n DeNA BayStars slugger Maki broke the ice for skipper Hirokazu Ibata’s team with a two-out solo blast to left field in the opening frame at Vantelin Dome Nagoya, where the national team prevailed 5-3 against the Dragons a day earlier.
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\n After the Central League club tied it in the home half, Hanshin Tigers standout Morishita led off the second with a long shot to left field to put Japan back up 2-1.
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\n Japan starter Hiromi Ito surrendered a tying solo home run to Rintaro Tsujimoto in the third, and reliever Chihiro Sumida gave up a go-ahead leadoff homer to Seiya Hosokawa in the fourth before the national team turned the game around with a big fifth inning.
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\n With one out and two on, Tigers catcher Seishiro Sakamoto tied the game by scoring a runner from second when he sent Mizuki Miura’s 3-2 breaking ball to right field. Hiroshima Carp infielder Kaito Kozono then put Samurai Japan up 4-3 with his single to center field.
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\n Ibata’s men scored five runs in the frame off Miura, with two coming from Daito Yamamoto’s bases-loaded shot to left field.
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\n Some of Japan’s major league players, including two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and Seiya Suzuki, practiced with their teammates in Nagoya but did not play against the Dragons.
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\n The U.S.-based stars are expected to line up for Japan next week, starting with Monday’s warm-up against the Orix Buffaloes at Kyocera Dome Osaka.
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\n “This was our last game in Nagoya, so we wanted to head to Osaka in good form,” Maki said. “Once we get to Osaka, the major league players will also be playing, so I think the atmosphere will change again.”
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\n Japan begins its WBC championship defense against Pool C opponent Taiwan at Tokyo Dome on Friday.
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