Masanao Yoshida of the MLB Red Sox started the final opener before the start of the season against the Braves in the fourth and left field, hitting his first home run in the opener.
Yoshida started the opening game against the Braves at Fort Myers, Florida, on the 28th as the fourth and left fielder.
In his first at-bat of the first inning, chasing a single run, he faced Braves pitcher Morton, who has won 4 games in the big leagues, and hit a two-run home run to right-center with a sweet two-seam.
This was Yoshida's first home run in an opener, and in the second at-bat of the third inning, he was substituted after picking up a foreball to reach base, ending the final opener before the start of the season.
Yoshida played in six opening games in the WBC = World Baseball Classic, going 6-for-13 with a 3-for-2 batting average, one home run and two RBI.
In the WBC, he contributed greatly to the Japan's championship with a tournament-record 3 RBIs, but he is also gradually improving with the Red Sox, who are expected to be a mainstay, and is expected to make his big league debut in the season opener against the Orioles in Boston on the 1th.
After his first year in the big leagues, Yoshida said, "I'm glad that I was able to catch the opponent's first strike fast ball with just one home run. He was enthusiastic.