TOKYO (November 3, 2009)—Former President George W. Bush threw out the ceremonial first pitch Tuesday before Game 3 of the Japan Series between the Yomiuri Giants and Nippon Ham Fighters.

Dozens of demonstrators marched outside the stadium in Tokyo protesting the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq that were launched by the Bush administration.

The Giants won 7-4 to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, Japan's version of the World Series.

Bush, wearing a Yomiuri warm-up jacket, took the mound at Tokyo Dome and threw a pitch to the Giants catcher that bounced once in the dirt before being caught.

Bush, who lives in Dallas and still spends time at his ranch near Crawford, chatted briefly with several players after walking off the field and watched the game in a private box with former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.