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Shohei Ohtani started the World Baseball Classic with a bang.
Japan’s team captain hit a grand slam in the second inning of Friday’s opening match against Taiwan, en route to a crushing 13-0 victory.
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“I knew he was going to hit it out of the park right after I hit him,” Ohtani told reporters after the game. “It’s important to score first.”
Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan hits a grand slam in the second inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Group C game between Japan and Chinese Taipei at Tokyo Dome on March 6, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Gene Wang – Media Capture/Getty Images)
The superstar thanked the fans after the match.
“It was a good match and we had a good start, so I think it was all thanks to your support,” he said to applause while speaking in Japanese. “I think the battles will continue, but if the fans and the team can come together and cheer us on, that will cheer us up. So please support us.”
Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan salutes after winning the 2026 World Baseball Classic Group C game between Japan and Chinese Taipei at Tokyo Dome on March 6, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan. (Gene Wang – Media Capture/Getty Images)
Japan starting pitcher and Ohtani’s Los Angeles Dodgers teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto said he greets Ohtani after the game.
“This was our first game of the tournament and scoring the first run is always difficult,” Yamamoto said. “But Shohei hit a big home run to give us the momentum. So I pay tribute to him.”
Japan looks to defend its world championship after winning the 2023 World Baseball Classic, winning a 3-2 thriller over the USA.
Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan hits a grand slam in the second inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Group C game between Japan and Chinese Taipei at Tokyo Dome on March 6, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan. (Gene Wang – Media Capture/Getty Images)
This year’s U.S. team, led by captain Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees, will look to reclaim the crown and begin pool play Friday night against Brazil.
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