Outfielder Keiji Ikebe hit a three-run homer in the second inning to ignite the offense Monday as Japan crushed the Czech Republic 19-0 in the preliminary round of the baseball World Cup.
Tsutomu Takanezawa also homered in a six-run fifth inning in a game called after seven innings under the tournament's mercy rule, helping Japan improve its record to two wins and a loss in Group B.