Shohei Ohtani showcased his incredible batting skills on Friday, propelling Japan to a commanding 13-0 victory over Chinese Taipei in the opening match of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The reigning National League MVP put on an impressive performance, falling just a triple short of hitting for the cycle in a game that was cut short due to the mercy rule.
With a packed Tokyo Dome buzzing with 42,314 fans, Ohtani wasted no time making his presence felt. He opened the game with a spectacular double down the right-field line that registered an exit velocity of 117.1 mph, setting the tone for Japan’s offensive display.
While Japan was initially held scoreless in the first inning, the team exploded offensively in the second. After loading the bases via a couple of singles and a hit-by-pitch, Ohtani entered the spotlight for his second at-bat. On a 2-1 count, he sent a pitch from Chinese Taipei’s Hao-Chun Cheng deep, smashing a 368-foot drive that contributed to a record-breaking offensive round. Japan scored five runs that inning, establishing a new World Baseball Classic record for the most runs in a single inning—previously set at eight by both the U.S. and Cuba.
Ohtani was instrumental in this historic inning, driving in five runs, which also stands as a new record for most RBIs in a single inning in the tournament’s history. As the game progressed, Japan extended its lead to 13-0 by the end of the third inning, at which point Ohtani’s day ended with his fourth and final at-bat resulting in a line-out to first base. Teruaki Sato pinch-hit for him in the top of the seventh, leading to the game concluding due to the mercy rule.
Looking ahead, Japan is set to face Korea on Saturday at 5 a.m. ET (FS1), while Chinese Taipei will play against Czechia later that evening at 10 p.m. ET (FS2). Ohtani’s exceptional performance not only laid the groundwork for Japan’s triumph but also left fans eagerly anticipating what he will do next on the world stage.