Shohei Ohtani (32) of the Japan national baseball team narrowly missed the WBC (World Baseball Classic) first-ever cycle but showcased hot hitting and led Japan to its first victory.
Ohtani started as the designated hitter batting first in the C group game against Taiwan in the 2026 WBC at Tokyo Dome on the 6th, delivering a torrid performance with three hits in four at-bats, one home run, five RBIs and one run scored.
Leading off the top of the first inning, Ohtani turned on the first pitch of the game and ripped a double. However, the follow-up hit did not come, so it did not result in a run.
In the second inning, Ohtani had a bases-loaded, one-out chance. He hit a grand slam over the right-field fence to put his team on the board first. Japan's lineup erupted after Ohtani's home run and Ohtani came to the plate again. With two outs and runners on first and third, Ohtani delivered an RBI single to make it 10-0. It was the first time in WBC history that Japan scored 10 runs in a single inning.
After recording a double, a home run and a single in three plate appearances through the second inning, Ohtani needed only a triple to complete the WBC's first cycle. But Ohtani led off the fourth inning and was retired on a grounder to first base, and in the seventh inning he was replaced by pinch hitter Teruaki Sato and ended his day. Bolstered by Ohtani's performance, Japan won by a 13-0, seven-inning mercy rule and secured its first win of the tournament.
Ohtani is the major league's top superstar, with a batting record in 1,033 games of a .282 average (3,730 at-bats, 1,050 hits), 280 home runs, 669 RBIs, 708 runs scored, 165 stolen bases and an OPS of .956, and as a pitcher in 100 games (528 2/3 innings) he has a 39-20 record with a 3.00 earned run average. He is the first player since Babe Ruth, who is considered the greatest baseball player in history, to excel as both a hitter and a pitcher, and he is already being mentioned as a likely future Hall of Fame inductee.
Ohtani, who also represented Japan in the 2023 WBC, led Japan to its first championship in 14 years since 2009 and was named the tournament MVP. The scene that decided Japan's championship—when he entered in the ninth inning of the final against the United States and struck out Mike Trout (Angels), who was his teammate at the time, on a called third strike—is still recalled as one of the WBC's great moments.
Aiming once again for a WBC title, Ohtani thanked fans during the game's MVP interview, saying, "I think that being able to make a good start with a good game was thanks to the support. Difficult games will continue, but if the fans and the team become one and heat up the entire ballpark, it will be a great source of strength. I ask for your continued support."
Japan, buoyed by a satisfying first-game victory, will face Korea on the 7th, Australia on the 8th and the Czech Republic on the 10th. Ohtani pledged victory against Korea on his Instagram, saying, "See you all tomorrow."
Japan announced Yusei Kikuchi (Angels) as the scheduled starting pitcher. Korea will start Ko Young-pyo (KT) as its starting pitcher. Currently in WBC group C standings, Australia is first (2 wins), Korea and Japan are tied for second (1 win), and Taiwan and the Czech Republic are fourth (2 losses).
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