Japan didn't need to beat Israel to qualify for the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic, but it probably felt good to head to the U.S. in style.
Yoshitomo Tsutsugo sparked a five-run sixth inning with a deep home run to center, and Japan punched its ticket for the semifinals in emphatic fashion with an 8-3 rout of Israel on Wednesday night at Tokyo Dome.
"The starting pitcher pitched very well and Tsutsugo opened up the game with his home run," Japan manager Hiroki Kokubo said.