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There is no rest for the weary. With their Major League Baseball season ending just a few weeks ago in the World Series, four Kansas City Royals have headed across the ocean to Japan to play with "MLB All-Stars" in their annual tour of Japan. Four Royals have headed over to the Land of the Rising Sun - Jeremy Guthrie, Alcides Escobar, Salvador Perez, and Erik Kratz.
Guthrie is an interesting guy to head over, as he is of Japanese descent from his mother's side. He seems to reveling in returning to the place of his ancestry.
Arrived in Osaka, happy to be in country of my ancestry. #JapanSeries 大坂に到着。祖先の地を踏むことができてとても光栄です。
— Jeremy Guthrie (@TheRealJGuts) November 9, 2014
Others are perhaps not so excited.
We are all so thrilled to be in Japan, especially @RobinsonCano!!! He can hardly contain himself. #JapanSeries pic.twitter.com/bHoigGdVV8
— Jeremy Guthrie (@TheRealJGuts) November 9, 2014
BOOOOOO!!!
Royals backup catcher Erik Kratz is well rested, having not appeared in a game since September 28, and having appeared in just three games since the end of August.
I don't think I'm in KC anymore?!?! #beroyal #mlbjapanseries pic.twitter.com/GwMNOIIl21
— Erik Kratz (@ErikKratz31) November 10, 2014
Guthrie enjoyed the Japanese culinary delicacies.
For my English speaking friends,not sure what it says,just banging away on Japanese keyboard. Try these #OctopusBalls pic.twitter.com/MYnKVhaK4y
— Jeremy Guthrie (@TheRealJGuts) November 10, 2014
I want to see #octopusballs trending in Kansas City.
"@MLB: The AL champions are here. #JapanSeries pic.twitter.com/UIGrEK5T0q" @SalvadorPerez15
— Alyssa Schierhoff (@_Schierhoff) November 10, 2014
Ah, that's still a glorious thing to read. "AL CHAMPIONS."
Happy #Royals RT @MLB: The @MLB All-Stars are all smiles and ready to take on the world. #JapanSeries pic.twitter.com/mCGdQfRY49
— Jeff Rosen (@jeff_rosen88) November 10, 2014
Alright, time to play some ball.
Salvy goes yard in an 8-7 win in the opener against a squad combined of the Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers. Escobar added two hits and Erik Kratz made an appearance at first base and singled in his only appearance.
A home run means Salvy gets to go out for ice cream.
Ice cream? It’s cool, it’s an off day. #JapanSeries pic.twitter.com/oQXrs2XVcG
— MLB (@MLB) November 13, 2014
Jeremy Guthrie got in the next game, a 2-0 loss to Kenta Maeda, who is expected to be the top Japanese free agent in the United States this off-season.
甲子園球場で投げることができ光栄です. #JapanSeries #KoshienStadium pic.twitter.com/D52ZKfAXHF
— Jeremy Guthrie (@TheRealJGuts) November 11, 2014
Alcides Escobar still looks solid with the glove.
.@alcidesescobar2 is just fine using only his glove. #JapanSeries http://t.co/vSa2P6osVH
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) November 12, 2014
In all, it looks like a good time over in Japan.
Oh dear God, what is that?
Orbit and the #JapanSeries – the love is mutual. http://t.co/sw7aH0J4Ns
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) November 12, 2014
Why did we bring the Astros mascot to Japan????? KILL IT WITH FIRE.
You can watch the games live on MLB Network or on MLB.TV. Here is the remaining schedule.
Friday, Nov. 14: Game 2 at Tokyo Dome (4 a.m.)
Saturday, Nov. 15: Game 3 at Tokyo Dome (4 a.m.)
Sunday, Nov. 16: Game 4 at Tokyo Dome (4 a.m.)
Tuesday, Nov. 18: Game 5 at Sapporo Dome, Sapporo (5 a.m.)
Thursday, Nov. 20: Exhibition vs. Team Japan, Okinawa (4 a.m.)
MLB Network also will re-air a telecast at 9 p.m. ET on all games.