TOKYO — What a trip, hearing “Go Cubs Go” blare from the Tokyo Dome speakers, and Clark the Cub flying the “W” flag in the outfield, after the Cubs defeated the Yomiuri Giants 4-2 Sunday evening (or morning, depending on where you are).

Just a little piece of home, thousands of miles away.

The Cubs began this game the way they played against the Hanshin Tigers Saturday — nothing doing over the first four innings, just a pair of walks in the first and a double by Dansby Swanson in the second.

Swanson also made this slick play in the first [VIDEO].

Meanwhile, Jameson Taillon was stopping Giants bats. They had three hits over the first four innings, but just one runner past first base. Taillon looked really sharp, I thought, throwing 69 pitches (42 strikes). Here are his four strikeouts [VIDEO].

The Cubs broke the game open in the fifth. Pete Crow-Armstrong led off with a double and stole third. He scored on this single by Gage Workman [VIDEO].

Ian Happ then singled with Workman stopping at second. A walk to Kyle Tucker loaded the bases, which brought the locals to their feet cheering for Seiya Suzuki to be the hitting hero. Unfortunately, Seiya struck out, but while he was batting, this wild pitch scored Workman [VIDEO].

Michael Busch then singled, loading the bases, and that set up this nice two-run single by Matt Shaw [VIDEO].

Daniel Palencia relieved Taillon with one out and one on in the bottom of the fifth. He retired the first hitter he faced, then issued a walk and that set up a two-run double by Kazumo Okamoto.

That’s the thing with Palencia. He throws hard and has good stuff, but the walks just kill him. He’ll likely start the year at Triple-A Iowa.

And that was that for the scoring. Matthew Boyd threw four strong innings finishing up, striking out six and throwing 40 strikes in his 55 pitches. I think Boyd is going to be a pleasant surprise for everyone in Cubs land this year.

The Cubs didn’t score again either, managing just a single and a walk over the final four innings. But that four-run fifth was enough.

Here’s the final out [VIDEO].

This team needs more contributions from Tucker, in particular, but in general to me they appear ready to face the Dodgers a couple of days from now.

Here’s Craig Counsell on the Cubs and Japan [VIDEO].

Now, here’s the day from my point of view. Things could not have been done better than the staff at the Tokyo Dome did them. Friendly, efficient and knowing how to handle any situation, I cannot say enough about the gameday staff at the Tokyo Dome. Honestly, I would expect nothing less from them, as that’s generally how people are in Japan.

Here’s a look at batting practice (Bluesky link):

Seiya Suzuki got loud ovations every time he came to bat (Bluesky link).

Here’s the overall view from my seat (Bluesky link). I’ll be in the same location Tuesday and Wednesday, if any of you are in Tokyo.

The Japanese fans are relatively quiet — except when their players are up to bat, when they have individualized songs they play and sing throughout the player’s time at the plate. The music comes from the right-field outfield seats, comparable to Wrigley’s right-field bleachers. (Some Cubs fans also started chants of “PCA! PCA!” and “Let’s go Cubbies!”)

Here are a couple of the songs, and honestly I can’t remember which player had which song.

Song 1 [VIDEO].

Song 2 [VIDEO].

I didn’t have a lot of time to get around the Tokyo Dome to show you more of what the stadium is like, but here’s a sample. (More to come Tuesday.)

Here are some of the food stands and lines — the latter were VERY long just before game time. I actually didn’t have anything to eat as I had a fairly large late lunch. Will definitely sample some of the food during the Dodgers series.

Al Yellon

Al Yellon

This sign was in my section — they are very careful to warn fans about foul balls coming into their area. In fact, in one section (on field level) they recommend wearing helmets, and I did see some fans doing that.

Al Yellon

The players line up for pre-game introductions. I love ceremonies like this — and there will certainly be another one on Tuesday.

Al Yellon

And so, earlier than any Cubs team has ever opened a regular season, the ballclub will be the “home” team for a two-game series against the Dodgers Tuesday evening in Tokyo (again, very early morning Chicago time). Shōta Imanaga will start for the Cubs, and I expect him to get an even more rousing welcome than Suzuki did. Also likely getting a great welcome from his home country fans will be Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Of course, I expect Shohei Ohtani will get the loudest, longest cheers of any player taking the field Tuesday — mine too, as he’s a fantastic player and deserves every bit of the love he’ll get in Tokyo.

Game time Tuesday is 5:10 a.m. CT. TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network, but the game is also being carried live on Fox-TV (check local listings for the Fox affiliate in your area), with no blackouts, so everyone should be able to watch this game. The Cubs radio team is also in Tokyo so you’ll get complete audio coverage via 670 The Score.

More to come from me as well, but at posting time of this recap it’s pushing 11 p.m. here in Japan and I’ve had a long day and am going to sleep.

Can’t wait for the rest of this fantastic trip.