Japan’s All-Stars Tie U.S., Clinch Series Victory

Japan clinched its first series victory over a major-league all-star team when it played to a 6-6 tie today for a 4-1-1 lead in the eight-game goodwill series.

Although a Japanese all-star team went 6-3 against the San Francisco Giants in 1970, Japan never before had won an all-star series. Major-leaguers began making tours in 1951.

Major-leaguers won the last series, in 1988, by a 3-2-2 margin.

Kelly Gruber and Jesse Barfield hit consecutive singles in a three-run seventh inning as the major-leaguers gained the tie. In Japan, tie games frequently are played during the regular season.

Lenny Dykstra of Philadelphia and Ken Griffey Jr. of Seattle each had two hits and an RBI for the Americans.

Dodgers right-hander Ramon Martinez, bothered by a tender elbow, has returned home.

The series concludes with games Saturday and Sunday in Tokyo.