Fujita homers as Japan blanks Chinese Taipei, moves to Gold Medal Game

Yamato Fujita hit a monster home run to left field in the four-run fourth inning.

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<p>Japan defeated Chinese Taipei, 7-0, in six innings in the first semifinal of The World Games, and will play tomorrow for the gold medal and the title of world champion. Yamato Fujita hit a monster home run to left field in the four-run fourth inning, while Miu Goto and Sakura Miwa blanked Chinese Taipei from the circle.</p>

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<p>A bases-loaded, two-run single off the bat of Kanna Kudo put Japan in front in the bottom of the first inning. </p>

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<p>Fujita’s two-run home run and a two-run double by Ayane Nakagawa added four more runs in the fourth inning, while an infield hit in the sixth allowed Kyoko Ishikawa to shut down the game early.</p>

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<p>Nodoka Harada went 3-for-4, while Fujita, Nakagawa and Kudo collected a pair of RBIs each. Goto earned the win in 4 innings of work, allowing 3 hits and 1 walk, with 3 strikeouts.</p>

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<p>Japan will play the Gold Medal Game tomorrow at 8 p.m. local time, while Chinese Taipei will play for the bronze at 4 p.m.</p>

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