The Yomiuri Giants may have a new power-hitting third baseman on the way, but Shuichi Murata wants to show everyone the old model is still working just fine.
Murata hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning and scored the tiebreaking run on an error in the seventh to help the Giants edge the Chunichi Dragons 5-3 in front of a crowd of 46,075 on Thursday night at Tokyo Dome.
Yomiuri's most recent signing, Juan Francisco, took batting practice at the Big Egg prior to the game and it might be Murata's job that's on the line when he's ready to go. Murata made an impassioned defense of his position against Chunichi, going 2-for-2 with a home run, three RBIs and a walk.