During this year’s Japan All-Star Series, the Dodgers are represented by utility players, Chris Taylor and Kiké Hernandez, along with starting pitcher, Kenta Maeda. The series lines up with six games; three in Tokyo, two in Hiroshima, and wrapped up with one in Nagoya.
This weekend, the MLB played their Toyko series against the Samurai Japan All-Star team. Taylor appeared in only one of the three games in Tokyo, while Hernandez appeared in two of the three.
Taylor started at second base in game two of the Tokyo series, where the MLB lost to the Samurai Japan, 12-6. Taylor stepped to the plate four times in his only action thus far on the tour, working one walk and striking out twice. Taylor has yet to record a hit against Samurai Japan, but has reached base via his seventh inning walk in game two.
Hernandez started at third base in game two of the Tokyo series, batting two spots ahead of Taylor in the batting order. Game two versus Samurai Japan worked out to give Hernandez an RBI on a one-out groundout in the seventh inning, scoring the Nationals’ rookie phenom, Juan Soto. Hernandez, likewise to Taylor, didn’t record a hit in game two and struck out a pair of times. However, Hernandez had five plate appearances in comparison to Taylor’s four.
In game three, Hernandez started at his primary infield position of shortstop. Again, Hernandez worked a walk but did not collect a hit. However, Hernandez did manage to come around to score on a three-run home run by the Cardinals’ veteran catcher, Yadier Molina. With four plate appearances in game three, Hernandez’ Japan All-Star Series total has increased to nine. In those nine plate appearances, Hernandez has no hits, two walks, an RBI, and a run scored.
Dodgers’ starting pitcher, Kenta Maeda, did not pitch in the Tokyo portion of the tour. A report from The Japan Times on Sunday however, confirmed that Maeda would make his first appearance in Hiroshima as the MLB’s starter on Tuesday.
Game Scores:
- Game One: 7-6, Samurai Japan (1-0 JPN/0-1 MLB)
- Game Two: 12-6, Samurai Japan (2-0 JPN/0-2 MLB)
- Game Three: 7-3, Major League Baseball (2-1 JPN/1-2 MLB)
Upcoming Games:
- Tuesday, Nov. 13th, 1:30am PT (Hiroshima)
- Wednesday, Nov. 14th, 2:00am PT (Hiroshima)
- Thursday, Nov. 15th, 1:00am PT (Nagoya)
Arrick Joel has covered the Dodgers since 2017, and for Dodgers-LowDown since 2018. Follow @ArrickJoel and @DodgersLowDown on Twitter for more.