Many say the gap between the two leagues has gotten closer, and that's a valid argument. But in terms of the amount of overall muscles, the big leaguers still have a big advantage.

Oakland pinch hitter Donnie Murphy blasted a grand slam off Hanshin reliever Jeff Williams in the top of the eighth inning as the Athletics tamed the Tigers 10-2 before a crowd of 16,746 at Tokyo Dome on Sunday afternoon.

"I was looking for a specific pitch — a fastball, low — and put a good swing on it," said Murphy, an infielder. "I got a really good pitch to hit. It was a two-seam fastball down and away in the zone."