Chunichi Dragons infielder Hirokazu Ibata drove home two runs in a four-run second inning Friday as Japan went on to blank Russia 12-0 for its third victory at the World Cup tournament.
Japan opened the scoring on three walks and an error before Ibata singled to right off Russian starter Jouri Jirov at Shinchuan Stadium in a Group B game, which was called after seven innings because of the 10-run mercy rule.
Seibu Lions outfielder Tomoaki Sato hit a one-run single in the third and Yomiuri Giants catcher Shinnosuke Abe added a two-run triple in a four-run fourth as Japan took a 9-0 lead.
Sato, who had three hits and four RBIs on the day, connected again in the fifth for a two-run single as Japan scored three more runs to cap the scoring.