Hanshin Tigers first baseman Mauro Gomez was excited to get a chance to play ball in Japan, and his hot start has almost made a mockery of the challenges faced by new foreign players.
Although he only went 1-for-4 in Sunday's 8-4 loss to the Yokohama BayStars, Gomez reached base for the 27th consecutive game, the longest season-opening streak in team history.
Through Sunday, the 29-year-old Dominican Republic native was batting .336 with a .400 on-base percentage, 35 runs and 30 RBIs for what has been the Central League's best offense so far this season.