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David Ortiz excites fans in Japan with his amazing power

The Boston Red Sox's David Ortiz reacts as he scores a solo homer in the top of the first innings against Japan's Hanshin Tigers in an exhibition game at the Tokyo Dome yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

David Ortiz showed Japanese fans his awesome power -- again.

In his first at-bat in the country since 2004, Ortiz smacked a long solo shot under the Tokyo Dome roof and over the left-center field wall yesterday.

That started the Red Sox to a 6-5 exhibition win over the Hanshin Tigers, the first of Boston's four games on the trip. They meet the Yomiuri Giants in another exhibition today, then play the first two games of the regular season against the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday and Wednesday.

This homer wasn't nearly as far as the one that hit the right field lights just below the roof during a tour with major league All-Stars in November 2004 soon after Boston won its first World Series in 86 years.

But it was a familiar sight at the same stadium as the ball soared toward the fence.

J.D. Drew added a three-run homer in the first.
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