The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters rediscovered some of their missing power in time to welcome Masahiro Tanaka back to Japan.
Sho Nakata hit a two-run homer in the first inning, Kazunari Ishii went deep in the second and the Fighters spoiled Tanaka's season debut with a 4-1 win over the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles on Saturday afternoon at Tokyo Dome.
"He's a pitcher who represents Japan, he's an amazing pitcher," Nakata said of his homer in the first inning. "I just connected and I'm glad I got that hit."