The Swallows third baseman and Buffaloes hurler received top vote totals in the Central League and Pacific League, respectively.
Stellar pitching from starter Masato Morishita and relievers keep the Americans off the scoreboard
The win ensures Samurai Japan will win its first Olympic medal in baseball since the 2004 Athens Games.
Ryoji Kuribayashi holds the U.S. in the 10th to pick up the win.
Manager Atsunori Inaba’s team features a mix of veteran standouts and rising stars, including Orix Buffaloes hurler Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
