Shohei Ohtani puts on a show as Japan thump China to lead Pool B

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Shohei Ohtani puts on a show as Japan thump China to lead Pool B

Published: 10 Mar. 2023, 09:37

Shohei Ohtani of Japan pitches against China in the fourth inning of a Pool B game at the World Baseball Classic in Tokyo on Thursday. [AP/YONHAP]

Japan thumped China 8-1 to rise to the top of Pool B at the 2023 World Baseball Classic on Thursday evening as Italy edged out Cuba to complete the day’s Pool A action.

Like anything and everything involving Team Japan at the WBC, the focus was solely on Shohei Ohtani at the Tokyo Dome. Unsurprisingly, major league baseball’s most dangerous two-way player ever did not disappoint, striking out five and allowing one hit in four innings pitched while at the plate he finished two-for-four with two walks and two RBIs.

Takuya Kai also picked up a couple of RBIs for Japan, while Shugo Maki added the sole home run of the night for the hosts.

China’s one run also came from a big fly, smacked over the fence by Pei Liang at the top of the sixth.

With the win, Japan jump to the top of Pool A on run differential, jumping above Australia by a solid six runs.

Over in Pool A, the day ended in extra innings as Italy managed a big four-run tenth to beat Cuba after the two sides couldn’t break a 2-2 tie over the regulation nine.

With WBC rules putting an automatic runner on second in extra innings, Italy capitalized quickly in the tenth at Taichung Stadium in Taichung, Taiwan, stealing third immediately to start the inning in scoring position.

The rest was history, Italy Ground out four runs in the inning to take a 6-2 lead, with Cuba only able to take one back at the bottom to lose 6-3.

With the loss, Cuba sits solidly at the bottom of Pool A with two straight Ls, while Italy climb into second behind the Netherlands.

Earlier in the day the Netherlands beat Panama 3-1 in a low-scoring Pool A affair between the then-group leaders, while Korea lost 8-7 to Australia in a disappointing — and at times humiliating — start to the tournament at Tokyo Dome.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]