TAIPEI (AP) -- Takahiro Arai batted in four runs to lead Japan to a 10-2 victory against Taiwan Thursday in the Asian Olympic Qualifying Tournament, securing the team a ticket to the Olympics baseball competition next year.

It was Japan's third straight win in the tournament as it prevailed over all Philippines, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Hiroshima Toyo Carp's Arai batted in one run in the first inning to give Japan a 1-0 lead early in the game.

Taiwanese slugger Chen Chin-feng's two-run homer in the sixth inning overturned the lead, but Japan went ahead again with a series of hits, including a single from Arai, turning in six runs in the seventh inning.

Arai hit another two-point homer in the ninth inning.

Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish also shone in the game, pitching seven innings of three-hit ball and allowing only two runs.

Earlier in the tournament, Korea defeated Taiwan 5-2, while Japan beat Korea 4-3. All three teams routed Philippines.

Taiwan and Korea could still win a ticket to Olympics as they are eligible to play in the final qualifying tournament next March, competing with teams from other continents. Top three teams from the tournament will be able to play in the Olympics.

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