TOKYO – Shohei Ohtani delivered a resounding statement on Friday, launching a grand slam as Japan defeated Taiwan 13-0 in their opening game of the World Baseball Classic. The sellout crowd at the Tokyo Dome was treated to a vintage Ohtani performance, a welcome sight for Japanese fans who rarely get to notice the superstar play on home soil.
Ohtani’s grand slam in the second inning ignited a dominant offensive display by Japan. He had already doubled on the very first pitch of the game, but was unable to score. The second inning, but, proved to be a turning point, with Japan sending 13 batters to the plate and scoring 10 runs.
Japan, batting as the visiting team, loaded the bases quickly in the second with a walk, a single, and a hit batter. After a foul out, Ohtani stepped up to the plate and connected for a towering grand slam to right field off Taiwanese starter Hao-Chun Cheng. The hit sent the crowd into a frenzy and effectively sealed Taiwan’s fate.
“I knew it was going to leave the park right away after I hit it,” Ohtani said, according to reports. “It’s important to score first.”
The offensive onslaught continued as Japan batted around in the second, adding six more runs to extend their lead. Ohtani contributed another single in the inning, driving in his fifth run of the frame. By the finish of the second, Japan held a commanding 10-0 advantage.
Japan added three more runs in the third inning, pushing the score to 13-0. The game was ultimately called after seven innings due to the World Baseball Classic’s mercy rule, which stipulates a game ends after five innings if a team leads by 15 or more runs, or after seven innings if the lead is 10 or more.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Japan’s starting pitcher, earned the win, despite facing some trouble in the third inning. He struck out three batters, walked two, and allowed no hits. Yamamoto was replaced by Shoma Fujihira after loading the bases with two outs, but Fujihira was able to get a strikeout to end the threat.
Ohtani continued to impress in the fourth inning, hitting a line drive that was snagged by the Taiwanese first baseman Nien-Ting Wu with a leaping catch. He was looking for a chance to complete the cycle, needing a triple for the rare feat.
As the defending champions, Japan is heavily favored to advance from Pool C, which also includes South Korea, Australia, and the Czech Republic. They are also considered a strong contender to reach the final in Miami on March 17, potentially facing the United States in a rematch of the 2023 World Baseball Classic final, a game Japan won 3-2 on a dramatic strikeout by Ohtani against Mike Trout. [1]
The atmosphere at the Tokyo Dome was electric, with Ohtani’s image prominently displayed throughout the stadium and a large number of his jerseys available for purchase. The game showcased Ohtani’s star power and generated significant excitement for the tournament in Japan. [2]
Japan will continue Pool C play on Saturday, facing South Korea. Taiwan will play the Czech Republic. [4]
In other Pool C action on Friday, Australia defeated the Czech Republic 5-1, thanks to a three-run home run from Chicago White Sox infielder Curtis Mead. Australia is also undefeated in Pool C and is considered a favorite to advance to the quarterfinals. [4]
Mead’s home run in the third inning gave Australia a 3-1 lead. Australia added two more runs in the ninth inning, including a solo home run by Alex Hall. A sacrifice fly by Vojtech Mensik had given the Czech Republic a 1-0 lead in the second inning. [4]
The Australian team features several players with affiliations to Major League Baseball organizations, including Mead and Travis Bazzana, the first overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft by the Cleveland Guardians. [4]
What’s Next: Japan will face South Korea on Saturday in another crucial Pool C matchup. The game is scheduled for 6:00 PM JST (5:00 AM EDT/11:00 AM UTC). Fans can follow the action and stay updated on the World Baseball Classic schedule on MLB.com. [3]
The dominant performance by Japan, led by Shohei Ohtani, sets a high bar for the rest of the tournament. The team’s ability to combine strong pitching with explosive offense makes them a formidable opponent.
