Japan shuts out China in world baseball opener

TOKYO – Japan began the defense of its title with a 4-0 win over China in Thursday’s opening game of the World Baseball Classic.

Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki went hitless in five at-bats but Shuichi Murata homered in the bottom of the third inning to lead Japan’s offense.

“In my first at-bat I didn’t get a hit so I was just trying to get the runner in,” said Murata. “I hit a home run in my first game so that should give me some confidence for the rest of the tournament.”

Playing before a near-capacity crowd of 43,428 at Tokyo Dome, Japan took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third. Norichika Aoki hit a run-scoring single to center field before Murata connected on a 2-run homer to left field off China starter Li Chenhao, who took the loss.

Japan widened its lead to 4-0 in the sixth when Kosuke Fukudome came home from third on a balk by reliever Sun Guogiang.

Suzuki, who struggled in tuneup games leading up to the tournament, returned to the leadoff spot after batting third but still couldn’t get a hit.

“Ichiro can cause havoc if he gets on base and our pitchers were so focused on keeping him off base,” said China’s manager Terry Collins. “We were fortunate that he didn’t go 5-for-5. He’s still the leader of that team.”

Japan starter Yu Darvish struck out three, walked one and gave up no hits over four innings to pick up the win. (AP)