WBC warm-up match: Orix Buffaloes 4-3 Japan (2nd, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Orix Buffaloes outfielder Yutaro Sugimoto made his presence felt as the fourth batter.

In the first inning, with one out and runners on first and third, he hit a leadoff single to center field off Samurai Japan starter Kikuchi (Angels), who was also born in 1991. "I think he's the most successful player of our generation. I'm so confident now that I've hit a home run," he said with genuine joy.

In 2013, he cleared the required number of at-bats for the first time in four years and hit 16 Home Run the most on the team. He also reunited with his former teammate, Yoshida Tadashi. Yoshida Tadashi is a junior at Aoyama Gakuin University, and is one of the people he calls "Yutaro-san" rather than his nickname "Raoh." He was told, "Your batting is looking good," and it looks like he'll be in even better shape for the opening game.