MLB All-Stars no-hit in Japan Series, lose Robinson Cano to fractured toe
Mark Townsend By Mark Townsend
It was a rough Saturday afternoon — or early morning U.S. time — for the MLB All-Star team that is currently competing against Samurai Japan, which is Japan's national All-Star team, in Tokyo. In the third game of a friendly five-game series, the MLB All-Stars were no-hit in a 4-0 loss by four pitchers.
Japan starter Takahiro Norimoto threw five perfect innings to get the outing off to a strong start. Yuki Nishi, Kazuhisa Makita and Yuji Nishino followed with four combined innings of no-hit relief. Nishi lost the no-hitter when he walked Lucas Duda leading off the sixth. He also went on to hit Robinson Cano with a pitch in the seventh, which we'll talk more about shortly. Makita walked two in the eighth, but the MLB team wasn't able to take advantage with a hit.
Nishino finished the game with a perfect ninth, retiring Justin Morneau on a ground out.
The no-hitter was the first in the Japan Series since 1990, when overpowering MLB left-handers Randy Johnson and Chuck Finley did it to Japan. In 2014, it's the Japan All-Stars who are dominating and leading the scheduled five-game series 3-0. Since it's merely an exhibition and tickets have already been sold, the series will be completed on Sunday and Monday.
With that in mind, there are probably some general managers anxious to get their players back. Especially Jack Zduriencik in Seattle. As we noted, Robinson Cano was hit with a pitch on Saturday and X-rays revealed a fractured little toe. He'll obviously miss the rest of this series, but will be ready to go well ahead of spring training.
In addition to the aforementioned Cano and Morneau, other All-Stars included in MLB's lineup were Evan Longoria, Yasiel Puig and Salvador Perez. Jose Altuve entered for Cano, meaning both league batting champions were in the lineup for a time.
It really wasn't a good day for the MLB squad, but it will go day as a memorable one in Japan. Particularly for the 46,084 fans at the Egg Dome.
AI
