Just when Australia thought it was safe to get back in the batter's box, with Japan ace Tomoyuki Sugano on the bench and out of pitches, it ran into the buzz saw that is Kodai Senga.
It didn't take long for Senga to display the tools that could make him a major weapon out of Samurai Japan manager Hiroki Kokubo's bullpen. Senga threw two scoreless innings in Japan's 4-1 victory over the Australians on Wednesday, earning the win in relief.
"I was throwing for strikes in the bullpen," Senga said. "If I'm able to do that I'm fine."