Ohtani’s Grand Slam Leads Japan to World Baseball Classic Victory

Tokyo, Japan – Shohei Ohtani electrified fans at the Tokyo Dome on Friday, March 6, 2026, with a stunning grand slam as Japan defeated Taiwan 13-0 in their opening game of the World Baseball Classic Pool C. The dominant performance marked a strong start for the defending champions.

Ohtani’s Historic Performance

Ohtani, already a global baseball superstar, showcased his power in the second inning, launching a grand slam to right field off Taiwanese starter Hao-Chun Cheng. He had previously doubled on the first pitch of the game. The grand slam was part of a massive 10-run inning for Japan. Ohtani later added an RBI single in the same inning, finishing with five RBIs.

“I knew it was going to leave the park right away after I hit it,” Ohtani said after the game. “It’s important to score first.”

Dominant Team Effort

Japan’s offensive explosion continued throughout the game, with the team scoring 13 runs before the game was called after seven innings due to the mercy rule. The mercy rule stipulates a game ends after five innings if a team leads by 15 or more runs, or after seven innings if the lead is 10 or more runs. Japan batted around in the second inning, demonstrating their offensive prowess.

Yamamoto’s Strong Start

While Ohtani’s hitting stole the show, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ World Series MVP, delivered a strong performance on the mound for Japan. Details of his pitching statistics were not immediately available, but his presence anchored the team’s victory.

Fan Enthusiasm

The Tokyo Dome was packed with enthusiastic fans eager to witness Ohtani’s performance. After the game, Ohtani addressed the crowd in Japanese, expressing his gratitude for their support. “It was a good game and we got off to a good start, so I reckon it was all because of your support,” he said. “I think the battles will continue, but if the fans and the team can approach together and cheer, it will encourage us. So please support us.”

Historic Inning

Japan’s 10-run second inning was a historic achievement, marking the first time any team had scored 10 runs in a single inning during World Baseball Classic competition. Ohtani also set a record for the most RBIs in an inning during the WBC.

Japan will continue pool play, aiming to defend their 2023 World Baseball Classic title.