Ariel Martinez

Havana, July 21 (JIT) - Cuba's Ariel Martinez hit a two-run triple and a single in a pair of innings on Thursday to help the Pacific League win 6-1 over the Central League in the second game of the 2023 NPB All-Star Series at Mazda Stadium in Hiroshima.

The Matanzas catcher, who entered the game in the sixth inning, raised his series average to .750 and collected his first two RBIs.

The team's starting catcher, Kenya Wakatsuki, also drove in two teammates, although he failed to add hits in a pair of visits to the plate.

The team's other two scores came courtesy of a solo home run by Chusei Mannami, named the game's most valuable player, and a sacrifice fly by Ryoya Kurihara.

The Central League's lone run came off a tow single by Shugo Maki Waiter.

Young rookie Shunpeita Yamashita earned the victory after allowing one hit with no runs in two complete episodes, while the loss went to right-hander Aren Kuri, who gave up one run and three hits in two innings of work.

Dominican Luis Perdomo and Mexican Roberto Osuna each pitched zero in relief to contribute to the Pacific League victory. Both closed the Series with a 0.00 ERA.

Central League representative Kazuma Okamoto won the pregame home run derby after beating his young teammate Seiya Hosokawa in the final round.