Sunday, 4 March 2018:

Australia have made a promising start to its baseball exhibition series against world No.2 Japan, despite a 2-0 defeat at the Nagoya Dome.

In a series considered vital to Australia's preparations as they try to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, only Japan's clutch hits during two key moments turned out to be the difference.

The tense encounter was played in front of almost 31,000 fans.

Veteran pitcher Travis Blackley showed every ounce of his experience against a powerful Japanese line-up, with the former MLB star striking out six and not allowing an earned run in five innings of work.

A specialist at mixing his pitches, Blackley knew exactly what was needed to cool the Japanese offence.

"I stuck to game plan with the information provided, stayed within myself and tried to keep hitters off balance," Blackley said.

"I didn't go out there tonight to blow fastballs by them, we stuck to the plan."

The Japanese line-up were held in check by the world No.8 Australians through the first five innings, however a walk and a base hit brought to the plate two of Japan's most powerful hitters.

Yuki Yanagita and Yoshitomo Tsutsugoh didn't disappoint with back-to-back RBIs to break the scoreless deadlock.

Perth Heat young gun Robbie Glendinning finished with a pair of hits on the night for Australia, and looked far from out of place in his first game in the green and gold.

AAP