Japan's first step toward a second straight World Baseball Classic (WBC) title was destructive. It drove Taiwan into a mercy rule after the fifth inning for a perfect win.

On Mar. 6 at Tokyo Dome, Japan opened its 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) first-round Group C campaign with a 13-0, seven-inning mercy-rule victory over Taiwan for a flawless start. Japan claimed its first win of the tournament, while Taiwan, with two losses, was pushed to the brink of elimination.

After the game, Ohtani Shohei and Yamamoto Yoshinobu of Japan shared the joy of victory. Mar. 6, 2026

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