Hiroshima Carp infielder Akinori Higashide singled home two runs in a three-run third inning and designated hitter Hirokazu Ibata of the Chunichi Dragons hit a grand slam in the ninth Monday as Japan blanked Italy 8-0 on the opening day of the four-nation international baseball tournament in Kobe.
Earlier in the opening game, Omar Linares opened the scoring with a double in a two-run first inning as favorite Cuba went on to romp over South Korea 7-3.