Following its only big-scoring game so far, manager Koji Yamamoto's Japan lineup will face more scrutiny after being stymied by the Hanshin Tigers 1-0 in a World Baseball Classic tuneup game on Tuesday at Kyocera Dome.
Hanshin drew first blood in the bottom of the fifth inning on an RBI single by No. 9 hitter Hayata Ito off Seibu Lions ace Hideaki Wakui.
Brooks Conrad, however, did the dirty work. The new import drew his second leadoff walk of the game and was sacrificed to second. With one out, Ito rifled a single to center, and Conrad steamed through a stop sign from the third base coach and scored easily.