Timely bunt rallies Japan past DR in 9th in Olympic opener
Japan's Hayato Sakamoto celebrates his walk-off single in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Dominican Republic at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Fukushima, Japan. Japan won 4-3. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Japan's Hayato Sakamoto celebrates his walk-off single in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Dominican Republic at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Fukushima, Japan. Japan won 4-3. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Jul. 28, 2021 02:39 AM EDT
Japan players celebrate a walk-off single hit by Hayato Sakamoto in a baseball game against the Dominican Republic at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Fukushima, Japan. Japan won 4-3. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Japan players celebrate a walk-off single hit by Hayato Sakamoto in a baseball game against the Dominican Republic at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Fukushima, Japan. Japan won 4-3. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Jul. 28, 2021 02:55 AM EDT
Japan's Hideto Asamura scores on a fielder's choice after Munetaka Murakami hit a ground ball during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Dominican Republic at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Fukushima, Japan. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Japan's Hideto Asamura scores on a fielder's choice after Munetaka Murakami hit a ground ball during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Dominican Republic at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Fukushima, Japan. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Jul. 28, 2021 01:24 AM EDT
Japan players celebrate a walk-off single hit by Hayato Sakamoto, foreground, during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Dominican Republic at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Fukushima, Japan. Japan won 4-3. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Japan players celebrate a walk-off single hit by Hayato Sakamoto, foreground, during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Dominican Republic at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Fukushima, Japan. Japan won 4-3. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Jul. 28, 2021 02:42 AM EDT
Dominican Republic's Jeison Guzman leaves the field as Japan players celebrate the team's 4-3 win in a baseball game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Fukushima, Japan. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Dominican Republic's Jeison Guzman leaves the field as Japan players celebrate the team's 4-3 win in a baseball game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Fukushima, Japan. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Jul. 28, 2021 02:45 AM EDT
Dominican Republic's Erick Mejia(6) and Juan Francisco (34) celebrate after they scored on a double hit by Charlie Valerio during the seventh inning of a baseball game against Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Fukushima, Japan. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Dominican Republic's Erick Mejia(6) and Juan Francisco (34) celebrate after they scored on a double hit by Charlie Valerio during the seventh inning of a baseball game against Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Fukushima, Japan. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Jul. 28, 2021 01:08 AM EDT
Dominican Republic's Erick Mejia(6) and Juan Francisco (34) celebrate after they scored on a double hit by Charlie Valerio during the seventh inning of a baseball game against Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Fukushima, Japan. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Dominican Republic's Erick Mejia(6) and Juan Francisco (34) celebrate after they scored on a double hit by Charlie Valerio during the seventh inning of a baseball game against Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Fukushima, Japan. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Jul. 28, 2021 01:10 AM EDT
Japan players celebrate a walk-off single hit by Hayato Sakamoto in a baseball game against the Dominican Republic at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Fukushima, Japan. Japan won 4-3. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Japan players celebrate a walk-off single hit by Hayato Sakamoto in a baseball game against the Dominican Republic at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Fukushima, Japan. Japan won 4-3. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Jul. 28, 2021 02:46 AM EDT
Dominican Republic's Erick Mejia(6) and Juan Francisco (34) celebrate after they scored on a double hit by Charlie Valerio during the seventh inning of a baseball game against Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Fukushima, Japan. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Dominican Republic's Erick Mejia(6) and Juan Francisco (34) celebrate after they scored on a double hit by Charlie Valerio during the seventh inning of a baseball game against Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Fukushima, Japan. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Jul. 28, 2021 01:05 AM EDT