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Japan batters major leaguers to lead series 2-0

TOKYO, Japan - Softbank Hawks Nobuhiro Matsuda hits a single homer in the eighth inning of Game 2 of the Japan-Major League All-Star Series at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 14, 2014. Samurai Japan won 8-4 to lead 2-0 in the five-game series.

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Samurai Japan beat MLB stars 2-0

OSAKA, Japan - Samurai Japan's Nobuhiro Matsuda hits a sacrifice fly to score the opener in the second inning of a game against a team of major league stars at Kyocera Dome in the western Japan city of Osaka on Nov. 12, 2014. Samurai Japan won 2-0.

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Japan Series Game 4 held in Fukuoka

FUKUOKA, Japan - The Softbank Hawks' Nobuhiro Matsuda hits to left, scoring the first two runs in the first inning of Game 4 of the Japan Series against the Hanshin Tigers at Yafuoku Dome in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on Oct. 29, 2014. The Hawks took a 2-1 lead in the series.

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Softbank players fete win in PL Climax Series final

FUKUOKA, Japan - Nobuhiro Matsuda (2nd from L) and other players of the Softbank Hawks professional baseball club celebrate after beating the Nippon Ham Fighters 4-1 in Game 6 of the Pacific League Climax Series final stage at Yafuoku! Dome in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 20, 2014, winning a spot in the Japan Series against the Hanshin Tigers of the Central League.

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Hawks clinch 18th league title

FUKUOKA, Japan - Softbank Hawks players toss infielder Nobuhiro Matsuda (C) into the air after he singled home the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning in a 2-1 win over the Orix Buffaloes to clinch the Pacific League championship at Yafuoku Dome in Fukuoka on Oct. 2, 2014.

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Japan vs. Netherlands in WBC

TOKYO, Japan - Nobuhiro Matsuda of Japan hits a two-run home run in the second inning of a World Baseball Classic second-round game against the Netherlands at Tokyo Dome on March 10, 2013. Japan won 16-4 to advance to the final round in San Francisco. The game was called in the bottom of the seventh inning.

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Japan vs. Brazil in WBC

FUKUOKA, Japan - Nobuhiro Matsuda of Japan hits an RBI single against Brazil in the eighth inning of a World Baseball Classic first-round game at Fukuoka Dome in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on March 2, 2013. Japan won 5-3.

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Japan vs. Brazil in WBC

FUKUOKA, Japan - Nobuhiro Matsuda of Japan hits an RBI single against Brazil in the eighth inning of a World Baseball Classic first-round game at Fukuoka Dome in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on March 2, 2013, in front of Brazil catcher Diego Franca. Japan won 5-3.

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Softbank wins Game 5 of Japan Series

NAGOYA, Japan - Softbank Hawks' Nobuhiro Matsuda (back) scores on Toru Hosokawa's single as Chunichi Dragons catcher Motonobu Tanishige attempts to block him during Game 5 of the Japan Series at Nagoya Dome in Aichi Prefecture on Nov. 17, 2011. The Hawks won the game 5-0 to lead the best-of-seven series three games to two.

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atsuda hits two-run homer

FUKUOKA, Japan - Softbank Hawks infielder Nobuhiro Matsuda slams a two-run homer to cap a five-run fourth inning as the team beat the Hanshin Tigers 7-3 at Yahoo Dome on May 14.

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Matsuda hits three-run homer

NAGASAKI, Japan - Softbank Hawks infielder Nobuhiro Matsuda is about to throw a team mascot into the stands after hitting a three-run homer in a seven-run fourth inning against the Rakuten Golden Eagles at Nagasaki stadium on April 25. Softbank routed Rakuten 11-3.

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Matsuda hits three-run homer

NAGASAKI, Japan - Softbank Hawks infielder Nobuhiro Matsuda is about to throw a team mascot into the stands after hitting a three-run homer in a seven-run fourth inning against the Rakuten Golden Eagles at Nagasaki stadium on April 25. Softbank routed Rakuten 11-3. (Kyodo)

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atsuda hits two-run homer

FUKUOKA, Japan - Softbank Hawks infielder Nobuhiro Matsuda slams a two-run homer to cap a five-run fourth inning as the team beat the Hanshin Tigers 7-3 at Yahoo Dome on May 14. (Kyodo)

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Baseball: 5 Hawks players named to PL All-Star team

(From L to R) SoftBank Hawks closer Dennis Sarfate, third baseman Nobuhiro Matsuda, designated hitter Yuya Hasegawa, outfielder Yuki Yanagita and shortstop Kenta Imamiya pose for a photo at Tokyo Dome on June 27, 2016, after being elected by fans to play for the Pacific League in the two-game Japanese All-Star series on July 15 and 16. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Baseball: Yanagita, Matsuda provide power as Hawks sweep BayStars

Yuki Yanagita hits a solo home run in the third inning of the SoftBank Hawks' 4-2 win over the DeNA BayStars at Yafuoku Dome on June 9, 2016. Yanagita and Nobuhiro Matsuda each homered for the second straight day as the Hawks completed a three-game sweep of the BayStars. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Hawks captain Matsuda abandons major league bid

SoftBank Hawks third baseman Nobuhiro Matsuda holds a press conference in Fukuoka on Dec. 24, 2015. Matsuda said he will return to the two-time defending Japan Series champions, instead of moving to the major leagues as a free agent. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Matsuda to decide future by year-end

SoftBank Hawks third baseman Nobuhiro Matsuda speaks at a sports clinic in Fukuoka on Dec. 19, 2015. Matsuda told reporters the same day he will decide whether to stay with the Japan Series champions or move to the major leagues by the end of the year. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Fielding, versatility could open door for Matsuda

Sports agent Peter Greenberg (L), who represents Japanese baseball player Nobuhiro Matsuda, speaks to reporters on Dec. 9, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee, the venue of the Major League Baseball winter meetings. Greenberg revealed that five or six major league clubs have shown interest in the SoftBank Hawks third baseman, a four-time Golden Glove winner. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Japan Series starts in Fukuoka

SoftBank Hawks infielder Nobuhiro Matsuda slugs a solo homer to score the opening run during the fourth inning of the Japan Series' first game against the Yakult Swallows on Oct. 24, 2015, at the Yafuoku Dome in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Japan Series starts in Fukuoka

SoftBank Hawks infielder Nobuhiro Matsuda slugs a solo homer to score the opening run during the fourth inning of the Japan Series' first game against the Yakult Swallows on Oct. 24, 2015, at the Yafuoku Dome in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Japan Series starts in Fukuoka

SoftBank Hawks infielder Nobuhiro Matsuda slugs a solo homer to score the opening run during the fourth inning of the Japan Series' first game against the Yakult Swallows on Oct. 24, 2015, at the Yafuoku Dome in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Hawks capture Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks manager Kimiyasu Kudo (R) and player Nobuhiro Matsuda (2nd from R) appear jubilant at a party to celebrate the team clinching the Pacific League pennant at Yafuoku Dome in Fukuoka on Sept. 17, 2015, the earliest in the league's history. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Hawks capture 2nd straight PL title

Nobuhiro Matsuda (L) of the SoftBank Hawks and others pour a barrel of sake on teammate Dennis Sarfate (lower) at a party to celebrate the team's capture of the second straight Pacific League pennant on Sept. 17, 2015, at Yafuoku Dome in Fukuoka. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Japan beat Europe 4-3 in baseball game

Softbank Hawks captain Nobuhiro Matsuda singles home the tying run in the eighth inning of a baseball game between Japan and Europe at Tokyo Dome on March 10, 2015. Samurai Japan overcame a late two-run deficit to beat Europe 4-3 in the opener of their two-game series. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Fielding, versatility could open door for Matsuda

Nobuhiro Matsuda hits a grand slam in the seventh inning of Japan's 10-2 win over the United States at Taoyuan International Baseball Stadium in Taiwan on Nov. 14, 2015. Sports agent Peter Greenberg, representing Matsuda, said on Dec. 9 during the Major League Baseball winter meetings in Nashville, Tennessee that five or six clubs have shown interest in the third baseman. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Japan comes back big time to beat U.S., remain perfect in P12

Nobuhiro Matsuda of Japan rounds first base after hitting a grand slam off Cody Satterwite of the United States over the left-field fence in the seventh inning of their Group B game at the WBSC Premier 12 baseball tournament in Taoyuan, Taiwan, on Nov. 14, 2015. Japan clinched a spot in the quarterfinals with a 10-2 win. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Japan comes back big time to beat U.S., remain perfect in P12

Nobuhiro Matsuda of Japan hits a grand slam off Cody Satterwite of the United States over the left-field fence in the seventh inning of their Group B game at the WBSC Premier 12 baseball tournament in Taoyuan, Taiwan, on Nov. 14, 2015. Japan clinched a spot in the quarterfinals with a 10-2 win. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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SoftBank player Hasegawa's solo shot helps Hawks win PL pennant

SoftBank Hawks outfielder Yuya Hasegawa hits a solo homer to center field back to back with Nobuhiro Matsuda in the bottom of the fourth inning in a game against the Seibu Lions at Yafuoku Dome in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Sept. 17, 2015, to help the host team collect a 5-3 win and clinch its second straight Pacific League pennant. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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SoftBank slugger Matsuda homers, helping team win PL pennant

SoftBank Hawks slugger Nobuhiro Matsuda hits a solo homer into right-center stands, his 34th of the season, in the bottom of the fourth inning in a game against the Seibu Lions at Yafuoku Dome in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Sept. 17, 2015, contributing to the host team's 5-3 win and clinching its second straight Pacific League pennant. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Japan batters major leaguers to lead series 2-0

TOKYO, Japan - Softbank Hawks Nobuhiro Matsuda hits a single homer in the eighth inning of Game 2 of the Japan-Major League All-Star Series at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 14, 2014. Samurai Japan won 8-4 to lead 2-0 in the five-game series. (Kyodo)

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Softbank players fete win in PL Climax Series final

FUKUOKA, Japan - Nobuhiro Matsuda (2nd from L) and other players of the Softbank Hawks professional baseball club celebrate after beating the Nippon Ham Fighters 4-1 in Game 6 of the Pacific League Climax Series final stage at Yafuoku! Dome in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 20, 2014, winning a spot in the Japan Series against the Hanshin Tigers of the Central League. (Kyodo)

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Hawks clinch 18th league title

FUKUOKA, Japan - Softbank Hawks players toss infielder Nobuhiro Matsuda (C) into the air after he singled home the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning in a 2-1 win over the Orix Buffaloes to clinch the Pacific League championship at Yafuoku Dome in Fukuoka on Oct. 2, 2014. (Kyodo)

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Softbank wins Game 5 of Japan Series

NAGOYA, Japan - Softbank Hawks' Nobuhiro Matsuda (back) scores on Toru Hosokawa's single as Chunichi Dragons catcher Motonobu Tanishige attempts to block him during Game 5 of the Japan Series at Nagoya Dome in Aichi Prefecture on Nov. 17, 2011. The Hawks won the game 5-0 to lead the best-of-seven series three games to two. (Kyodo)

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Baseball: Japan Series

Nobuhiro Matsuda (C, L) and Akira Nakamura (C, R) celebrate with SoftBank Hawks teammates after a 4-0 win over the Yomiuri Giants in Game 3 of the Japan Series at PayPay Dome in Fukuoka on Nov. 24, 2020.

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Baseball: Japan Series

Nobuhiro Matsuda of the SoftBank Hawks reacts after scoring from second on a single by Akira Nakamura in the seventh inning in Game 3 of the Japan Series against the Yomiuri Giants at PayPay Dome in Fukuoka on Nov. 24, 2020.

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Baseball: Japan Series

Nobuhiro Matsuda of the SoftBank Hawks scores from second on a single by Akira Nakamura in the seventh inning in Game 3 of the Japan Series against the Yomiuri Giants at PayPay Dome in Fukuoka on Nov. 24, 2020.

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Baseball: Climax Series in Japan

Nobuhiro Matsuda of the SoftBank Hawks reacts after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning in Game 2 of the Pacific League Climax Series against the Lotte Marines at PayPay Dome in Fukuoka, Japan, on Nov. 15, 2020.

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Baseball: Climax Series in Japan

Nobuhiro Matsuda of the SoftBank Hawks hits a solo home run in the fourth inning in Game 2 of the Pacific League Climax Series against the Lotte Marines at PayPay Dome in Fukuoka, Japan, on Nov. 15, 2020.

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Baseball: Climax Series in Japan

Nobuhiro Matsuda of the SoftBank Hawks hits a solo home run in the fourth inning in Game 2 of the Pacific League Climax Series against the Lotte Marines at PayPay Dome in Fukuoka, Japan, on Nov. 15, 2020.

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Baseball in Japan

Nobuhiro Matsuda of the SoftBank Hawks celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning of a game against the Lotte Marines at PayPay Dome in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 11, 2020.

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Baseball in Japan

Nobuhiro Matsuda of the SoftBank Hawks hits a solo home run in the fourth inning of a game against the Lotte Marines at PayPay Dome in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 11, 2020.

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Baseball in Japan

Nobuhiro Matsuda of the SoftBank Hawks hits a two-run home run in the fourth inning of a game against the Nippon Ham Fighters at PayPay Dome in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 2, 2020.

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Baseball: Hawks wallop Eagles, book 17th Japan Series berth

Nobuhiro Matsuda of the SoftBank Hawks hits a two-run home run in the fourth inning of a Pacific League Climax Series final stage game against the Rakuten Eagles at Yafuoku Dome in Fukuoka on Oct. 22, 2017. The Hawks won 7-0, earning a spot in the Japan Series. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Baseball: Hawks wallop Eagles, book 17th Japan Series berth

Nobuhiro Matsuda of the SoftBank Hawks hits a two-run double in the first inning of a Pacific League Climax Series final stage game against the Rakuten Eagles at Yafuoku Dome in Fukuoka on Oct. 22, 2017. The Hawks won 7-0, earning a spot in the Japan Series. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Baseball: U.S. beats Japan to reach WBC final

Japanese third baseman Nobuhiro Matsuda reacts after being unable to throw to home plate as the United States scores the go-ahead run on a groundout in the eighth inning of a World Baseball Classic semifinal at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on March 21, 2017. The United States won 2-1. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Baseball: U.S. beats Japan to reach WBC final

Japanese third baseman Nobuhiro Matsuda (R) reacts after being unable to throw to home plate as the United States scores the go-ahead run on a groundout in the eighth inning of a World Baseball Classic semifinal at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on March 21, 2017. The United States won 2-1. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Baseball: U.S. beats Japan to reach WBC final

Luke Gregerson strikes out Nobuhiro Matsuda for the final out of the United States' 2-1 victory over Japan in their World Baseball Classic semifinal at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on March 21, 2017. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Baseball: U.S. beats Japan to reach WBC final

U.S. catcher Buster Posey (L) pumps his fist after Nobuhiro Matsuda of Japan strikes out for the final out of their semifinal game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on March 21, 2017. The United States won 2-1 to face Puerto Rico in the final. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Baseball: Japan downs Israel to reach WBC semis with perfect record

Nobuhiro Matsuda hits a run-scoring double in the sixth inning of Japan's 8-3 win over Israel in a second-round game of the World Baseball Classic at Tokyo Dome on March 15, 2017. Japan advanced to the semifinals with three wins out of three in the round. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Baseball: Japan beats Cuba for 2nd win in WBC 2nd round

Nobuhiro Matsuda reacts after scoring the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly by Seiichi Uchikawa in the eighth inning of Japan's 8-5 victory over Cuba at Tokyo Dome in the second round of the World Baseball Classic on March 14, 2017. Japan leads four-team Pool E with two wins in as many games, while Cuba fell to 0-2. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo