WBC News: Ohtani Hitless as Team Japan Wins Final Tune-Up Over Hanshin
The Ohtani Watch: Patience is Key Before Pool Play
OSAKA, JAPAN — The final tune-up for Samurai Japan prior to the WBC happened on Tuesday night. And the national team had no slouch as an opponent: last year’s Japan Series runner-up (and 2023 champ), the Hanshin Tigers. This one turned out to be almost as thrilling as Monday’s contest, but for different reasons. On Monday, Team Japan’s comeback fell just short as a tag play at the plate ended the game with the Samurais on the losing end of a 4-3 score. On Tuesday, the WBC squad got off to an early lead only to see it evaporate late in one bad inning, only to hold on to a 5-4 win.
First things first: our boy Shohei didn’t do a whole lot. He only had two at-bats and went 0-for-2, grounding out twice to the right side. He’s only had eight at-bats in games so far this spring, so it won’t be surprising if it takes him a game or two to start feeling it again.
Suzuki Provides Early Blast, Team Japan Holds on Tight
The biggest blow of the night came early, when the Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki hit an absolute tank job to left field. With two out in the top of the first, he sat on a 2-1 pitch and ripped it into the upper deck to give Samurai Japan a 1-0 lead.
After that it looked for a while like they would coast to an easy victory. Kensuke Kondoh’s RBI single later in the game gave the team a 2-0 lead, and then they pushed the lead to 3-0 in the middle innings. When Shota Morishita hit a pinch-hit 2-run single off his teammate Atsuki Yuasa in the seventh, Team Japan extended the lead to 5-0.
However, the Tigers had some fight left in them. Against Team Japan reliever Reia Nakachi, Hanshin put up a four-spot and made things interesting once again. But that would be as close as the Tigers would get in this one as Team Japan closed the door in the ninth to secure the win.
Some pitchers to watch once the WBC begins: Hiroto Takahashi, Yumeto Kanemaru, Shoma Fujihira, and Taisei all pitched well for the Samurai Boys, combining for seven shutout innings.
Next Up: Chinese Taipei
Now things get serious. With Team Japan’s warm-ups in the rearview mirror, they head into WBC pool play on Wednesday. Their first opponent will be Chinese Taipei (Taiwain). Also in Pool C are Australia, Korea, and the Czech Republic. Unless there is a huge upset, Team Japan figures to emerge from this round in pretty good shape. Let the games begin!
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