
The long-delayed Japan pro baseball season got underway on Friday night, with the Yomiuri Giants facing the Hanshin Tigers at Tokyo Dome among the six games being played, all without spectators.
The season was scheduled to open on March 30, but has been postponed as the country deals with the coronavirus pandemic. It has been shortened to 120 games.
At Tokyo Dome, Tomoyuki Sugano started for the Giants, who are aiming to repeat as Central League champion, while Yuki Nishi got the nod for the Tigers.
The Yomiuri Shimbun
Just before the season opening game, players of both teams applaud to show their appreciation for medical workers at the front line of the fight against the novel coronavirus at the Tokyo Dome on Friday.
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