By Robert Taylor
The Appleton Times
TOKYO — Shohei Ohtani delivered a performance that lit up the Tokyo Dome on Friday night, smashing a grand slam in the second inning to propel Japan to a dominant 13-0 victory over Taiwan in their World Baseball Classic opener. The sellout crowd of Japanese fans, who rarely get to see the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar in person, erupted as Ohtani's blast cleared the right-field wall, setting the tone for Japan's rout in Pool C play at the tournament.
The game, played at the iconic Tokyo Dome, was called after seven innings under the WBC's mercy rule, which ends matches early if one team leads by 10 or more runs after seven frames or 15 after five. Japan, entering as the defending champions and heavy favorites in their pool, wasted little time asserting dominance after a scoreless first inning where Ohtani had doubled on the game's opening pitch but was left stranded.
In the second, Japan loaded the bases with the first three batters reaching — a single, a walk, and another single — before Kenya Wakatsuki fouled out to the catcher. That brought Ohtani to the plate against Taiwan starter Hao-Chun Cheng, and on a 2-2 count, Ohtani unleashed a towering drive to right field for his grand slam, giving Japan a 4-0 lead. According to ESPN reports, the inning then exploded further, with Japan adding six more runs over the next several batters, batting around the order in a marathon frame that lasted 28 minutes.
Ohtani wasn't done in the second; he later singled for his third hit of the game and drove in his fifth run of the inning alone. By the time the dust settled, Japan had scored 10 runs in that single frame, leaving Taiwan reeling. The offensive barrage continued in the third inning, where Japan tacked on three more runs off reliever Tzu-Chen Sha, pushing the score to 13-0 and invoking the mercy rule shortly thereafter.
Japan's pitching, led by starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto — last season's World Baseball Classic MVP and now with the Dodgers — provided a stark contrast to the offensive fireworks. Yamamoto, working on long rests between innings due to the lopsided score, struck out three batters, walked two, and allowed no hits in his brief appearance. He ran into minor trouble in the third, walking two and loading the bases with the aid of an error, but was relieved by Shoma Fujihira, who struck out An-Ko Lin to escape the jam unscathed.
Cheng took the loss for Taiwan after surrendering the grand slam and much of the early damage, while Yamamoto earned the win in his efficient outing. Ohtani, who led off the fourth inning with a line drive that was robbed by a leaping catch from Taiwan first baseman Nien-Ting Wu, fell just short of the cycle — he needed only a triple to complete it, but the spectacular play denied him the chance.
This victory marks Japan's first step in Pool C, where they are joined by teams from South Korea, Australia, and Czechia. As the defending champions from the 2023 tournament, Japan enters as the pool favorite and overall contender to reach the final in Miami on March 17, potentially facing the United States in a highly anticipated matchup. The WBC, held every three years and featuring top players from around the globe, draws massive international attention, especially in Japan where baseball holds a cultural stronghold.
Earlier on Friday in Pool C action, Australia remained unbeaten with a 5-1 win over Czechia, highlighted by a three-run homer from Chicago White Sox infielder Curtis Mead in the third inning. Mead's blast came after Czechia failed to turn a potential double play earlier in the frame, which allowed Australia to load the bases and gave Mead his opportunity. The Australians, who reached the quarterfinals in the 2023 WBC but fell 4-3 to Cuba, added two insurance runs in the ninth, including a solo shot by Alex Hall.
Czechia had grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second on a sacrifice fly by Vojtech Mensik, but couldn't build on it. Josh Hendrickson picked up the win for Australia, while Tomas Ondra was saddled with the loss. With the victory, Australia improves to 2-0 in the pool, while Czechia drops to 0-2. The Australian roster boasts several MLB-affiliated players, including Mead and Travis Bazzana, the Cleveland Guardians' first pick in the 2024 MLB amateur draft.
The WBC's Pool C is shaping up as a competitive group, with Japan's star power led by Ohtani and Yamamoto contrasting Australia's gritty underdog story and the emerging talents from Czechia and Taiwan. Taiwan, known for its passionate fanbase and strong amateur baseball tradition, entered the tournament with hopes of advancing but was overwhelmed by Japan's firepower on this night. Officials from the tournament noted the mercy rule's application as a way to preserve player health in blowouts, a change implemented for this edition of the event.
Looking ahead, Pool C action continues Saturday with Taiwan facing Czechia and Japan taking on South Korea, a perennial powerhouse in international baseball. A win for Japan would solidify their position atop the pool, setting up potential clashes with advancing teams from other groups. The tournament's early games have already showcased the global appeal of baseball, with crowds in Tokyo mirroring the electric atmospheres seen in past WBC events across Asia and the Americas.
Ohtani's performance drew immediate praise from Japanese media and fans alike, underscoring his status as a national hero. Rarely playing in Japan due to his MLB commitments, his presence in the WBC serves as a rare treat, boosting attendance and excitement. ESPN described the scene: "Japanese fans don't get to see Shohei Ohtani in person very often. They got an eyeful Friday in a sellout at the Tokyo Dome."
Beyond the box score, the game highlighted the WBC's role in bridging professional and international baseball. Players like Ohtani, who signed a record-breaking $700 million contract with the Dodgers last offseason, use the tournament to represent their heritage while competing at the highest level. For Taiwan and Czechia, the event offers a platform to showcase developing talent against the world's best, even in defeat.
As the WBC progresses, all eyes will be on Pool C's outcomes, which could influence the quarterfinal bracket. Japan's decisive win positions them well, but with South Korea looming, the pool remains wide open for drama. The tournament, running through mid-March, promises more highlight-reel moments as nations vie for the championship trophy.
In a broader context, the WBC continues to grow in popularity, drawing record viewership and fostering rivalries that spill over into MLB seasons. For fans in Appleton and beyond, these international showdowns offer a fresh perspective on the sport, reminding us of baseball's truly global reach.