Japanese baseball eclipses MLB at the Tokyo Dome where not only was a filler game played in spring training; this was a transcontinental showdown that ignited the fuse for the 2025

The Tokyo Dome press seating was situated on the opposite side of the stadium, a little ways up the third-base line. But even from that vantage point, it was hard to miss. If the sight of the giant flags waving didn’t draw your attention, the sound of the drums would.

The Tigers started the two-game sweep on Saturday with a 3-0 win over the Chicago Cubs after 20-year-old lefty Keito Mombetsu threw five perfect innings. No Cubs reached base until Miguel Amaya smacked a single through the infield in the sixth that just got past the shortstop.