Overview

• NTT West Japan edged JR East 5–4 to secure back-to-back quarterfinal berths at the Urban Baseball Tournament.
• NTT West manager Yasuhiro Kawamoto credited third pitcher Shinya Endo for turning the game and said his power suits Tokyo Dome’s hard mound, noting hitters adjusted after early trouble against rookie Yudai Morihata.
• JR East manager Takeaki Hamaoka lamented his bullpen calls and stressed that closing out chances starts from the first inning, explaining he started Morihata after a noticeable uptick in form at the Dome.
• Mitsubishi Motors Okazaki beat JR East Tohoku to return to the last eight for the first time in two years and now draws NTT West in the Sept. 5 third game.
• Japan’s men defeated Bulgaria 4–0 in a send-off match at Ariake, with an extra fourth set played; outside hitter Tatsunori Otsuka returned from July elbow surgery and reported no impact on his play ahead of the World Championship starting Sept. 12 in Manila.