Game 2 of the All-Star series in Japan featured a lot more offense but the same result, a win for the MLB All-Stars.

Howard hit a pair of homers Saturday and Iguchi drove in two runs with a clutch double as the MLB All-Stars defeated the stars of Japanese baseball 8-6 for a 2-0 lead in a five-game tour.

Howard, who led the majors with 58 homers for the Philadelphia Phillies, gave the major leaguers a 5-2 lead in the top of the third inning with a towering two-run homer to center field at Tokyo Dome.

"I got some good pitches to hit," Howard said. "We've got a lot of good players on this team, and I was happy to contribute."

The Japanese team showed some power, too:

Tomoya Satozaki of the Chiba Lotte Marines cut the lead to 7-4 with a two-run homer in the third off MLB starter Bronson Arroyo of the Cincinnati Reds, who picked up the win after giving up four runs on five hits over four innings.

So far we've seen one pitcher's duel and one slugfest, but both games were close. Sounds like the fans in Japan are getting a real treat.