TOKYO — Tetsuto Yamada hit two home runs to lead Japan to an 8-5 win over Cuba in the World Baseball Classic on Tuesday.
Pinch hitter Seiichi Uchikawa broke a 5-5 tie on a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning and Yamada made it 8-5 with a two-run shot to center field at Tokyo Dome.
Yamada also hit a leadoff homer in the first inning.
“I wasn’t pleased with my batting in the first four games,” Yamada said. “I was determined to do better today. I felt good in batting practice and felt this could be my day.