Japan opened its two-game series against Australia with a 2-0 victory Saturday night at Nagoya Dome, giving six pitchers a workout in the exhibition game.
After five scoreless innings, Samurai Japan broke open the game in the bottom of the sixth, driving home a pair of runs and getting Australian reliever Steve Kent pulled from the mound after only a handful of pitches.
Shogo Akiyama reached first on a walk, before a sacrifice bunt from Ryosuke Kikuchi moved the Seibu Lions outfielder into scoring position. Yuki Yanagita then opened the scoring with an RBI single to center.