Hisanori Takahashi found major league hitters tougher to get out than Fukuoka Daiei Hawks.
The rookie Yomiuri southpaw, who threw a two-hitter for the eventual champion Giants in Game 5 of the recently concluded Japan Series, was roughed up for six runs in three innings as the Major League Baseball All-Stars defeated their Japanese counterparts 8-5 Friday night at the Tokyo Dome in the opener of the All-Star Series 2000.
The biggest cheer of the night from the crowd of 41,000 came in the bottom of the ninth, when Kazuhiro Sasaki -- fresh off a 37-save season with the Seattle Mariners that will likely net him American League Rookie of the Year honors -- entered the game. Japan's all-time best closer didn't disappoint, retiring the side in order to nail down the win.