Masahiro Tanaka didn't have the return to Japan he'd hoped for, but it was an important first step nonetheless.

Tanaka was back on an NPB mound for the first time since 2013 and was given a rough welcome by the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters on Saturday afternoon at Tokyo Dome.

Sho Nakata absolutely crushed a high fastball for a two-run home run in the first inning and Kazunari Ishii opened the second with a solo shot. Tanaka didn't give up anything else, but the damage had been done.