The Philippine Men’s National Baseball Team put up a gallant stand against host Japan but ultimately fell, 0-7, to end its 20th Asian Games medal hopes on Wednesday at the Toyohashi Municipal Stadium in Aichi.
Starting pitcher Kento Nagano delivered a dominant performance on the mound for Japan, allowing just two hits while striking out 11 in a 77-pitch, seven-inning outing.
Japan opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning when shortstop Yukiya Yano launched a two-RBI hit to put the hosts ahead, 2-0. Left-handed hitter Manami Soeda then drilled Japan’s second home run in the sixth inning, taking lefty pitcher Junmar Diarao deep to right field to stretch the lead to 7-0.
Filipino starter Raymond Nerosa was pulled after 2 1/3 innings of work, surrendering five hits, three walks, and five runs. Diarao took over and kept Japan to just one hit while allowing two runs, along with one walk and one hit batter, for the remainder of the game.
Japan finished with just six hits, its lowest total in three games after collecting 11 in its 15-0 shutout of Palestine and 12 in its 11-3 victory over China.
Japan advanced to the super round unbeaten after sweeping Pool A with a 3-0 record. On the other hand, the Philippines finished the group stage at 1-2, including a win over Palestine and a loss to China.
JR Vargas, Bong Liguayan, and James Nisnisan each recorded a hit for the Philippines in the loss.
