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Japan WBC: Shohei Ohtani gave fans in Japan a rare chance to watch him shine on home soil Friday night.
The two-way star delivered the biggest moment of the game at the sold-out Tokyo Dome.
Ohtani blasted a grand slam in the second inning to help the Japan national baseball team roll to a commanding 13–0 victory over the Taiwan national baseball team in Pool C action at the World Baseball Classic.
The early home run ignited Japan’s offense and set the tone for a one-sided contest.
Japan continued to pile on runs as the game progressed, while Taiwan struggled to slow the hosts’ lineup.
The matchup marked Japan’s first of four scheduled games in pool play as the team begins its bid for another strong run in the international tournament.
The game ended early under the mercy rule used in the World Baseball Classic.
Tournament rules allow a game to finish after five innings if one team leads by 15 runs or more.
A matchup can also be stopped after seven innings when the lead reaches at least 10 runs.
Japan’s large advantage met that condition, bringing the contest to a close in the seventh inning.
The Japan national baseball team had an early scoring opportunity in the first inning.
Shohei Ohtani doubled on the opening pitch of the game, immediately energizing the crowd.
However, Japan could not bring him home in that inning. The breakthrough came quickly in the second.
Japan erupted for 10 runs in the frame, overwhelming the Taiwan national baseball team and turning the game into a one-sided contest.
The Japan national baseball team began the inning on the attack while batting first as the designated visiting team.
Japan placed its first three hitters on base, quickly creating early pressure. Kenya Wakatsuki then fouled out to the catcher for the first out.
That moment brought Shohei Ohtani to the plate with the bases loaded.
Ohtani delivered a towering grand slam to right field off Taiwan starter Hao-Chun Cheng.
The blast energized the crowd and opened the floodgates for Japan’s offense. Japan continued the rally and scored six additional runs during the same inning.
The extended frame lasted about 28 minutes as the lineup cycled through the order. By the time the inning ended, Japan had batted around.
Ohtani returned to the plate and lined a single for his third hit of the game. The hit also gave him his fifth RBI of the inning.
Only two innings had passed, yet the game had already tilted heavily in Japan’s favor. The Japan national baseball team kept the pressure on in the third inning.
Japan scored three additional runs against Taiwan’s third pitcher, Tzu-Chen Sha.
The rally extended the advantage to 13–0 and placed the contest firmly out of reach.
Japan’s powerful offense drew most of the spotlight throughout the game.
Meanwhile, starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered an effective performance on the mound with little attention.
Yamamoto arrived with strong credentials after winning World Series MVP honors last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Long pauses between innings followed Japan’s early scoring bursts, leaving starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto waiting on the mound.
The right-hander ran into trouble in the third inning.
Yamamoto issued two walks and, after a defensive miscue, Taiwan managed to load the bases.
Japan responded by calling on reliever Shoma Fujihira to handle the situation.
Fujihira quickly ended the threat by striking out An-Ko Lin.
Yamamoto finished his outing with three strikeouts and two walks while not allowing a hit.
The performance was enough to secure the win for the Japan national baseball team.
Taiwan starter Hao-Chun Cheng was charged with the loss.
Shohei Ohtani stepped to the plate to begin the fourth inning.
He sent a hard line drive toward first base.
Taiwan first baseman Nien-Ting Wu reacted quickly and made a leaping grab to secure the out.
The defensive play ended Ohtani’s at-bat and likely denied him a chance at completing the cycle.
Ohtani had already produced several hits earlier in the game and needed only a triple to achieve the milestone.
The Japan national baseball team entered the tournament as the reigning champion of the World Baseball Classic.
Japan is widely expected to advance from Pool C into the quarterfinals.
Many analysts also consider Japan a strong candidate to reach the championship game scheduled for March 17 in Miami.
If the projection holds, Japan could meet the United States national baseball team in the tournament final.
Australia national baseball team stayed perfect in Pool C on Friday after defeating the Czech Republic national baseball team 5–1 in the World Baseball Classic.
The turning point came in the third inning.
Curtis Mead, an infielder for the Chicago White Sox, connected for a three-run home run that gave Australia a 3–1 advantage.
The opportunity developed after the Czech defense failed to complete a double play earlier in the inning.
The missed chance kept the inning alive and allowed Mead to step in with runners on base.
Australia added insurance runs in the ninth inning. Alex Hall capped the scoring with a solo home run.
The late surge sealed the win and kept Australia unbeaten in Pool C competition.
The Czech Republic national baseball team opened the scoring in the second inning.
Vojtech Mensik lifted a sacrifice fly that allowed a runner to score and gave the Czechs an early 1–0 lead.
Australia later answered and moved ahead as the game progressed.
Josh Hendrickson was credited with the victory for the Australia national baseball team. The defeat was assigned to Czech pitcher Tomas Ondra.
With the result, Australia improved to 2–0 in Pool C of the World Baseball Classic. The Czech Republic dropped to 0–2 in the group standings.
Australia previously reached the quarterfinal stage in the last edition of the tournament three years ago.
In that appearance, Australia was narrowly eliminated by the Cuba national baseball team in a close 4–3 game.
The Australia national baseball team roster includes several players connected to Major League Baseball organizations.
One of the most notable is Curtis Mead, who is part of the Chicago White Sox system. Another key prospect is Travis Bazzana.
Bazzana became the first overall selection in the 2024 MLB amateur draft after being chosen by the Cleveland Guardians.
Competition in Pool C of the World Baseball Classic continues Saturday.
The Taiwan national baseball team is scheduled to play the Czech Republic national baseball team.
In another matchup, the Japan national baseball team will face the South Korea national baseball team.
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