Shohei Ohtani Launches Grand Slam in World Baseball Classic Opener, Leads Japan to Victory
TOKYO – Shohei Ohtani electrified fans in his return to Japan, hitting a grand slam in Samurai Japan’s dominant 13-0 mercy-rule victory over Chinese Taipei in the opening game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic on Friday. The game, played at the Tokyo Dome, drew a sell-out crowd and attracted high-profile attendees including actor Timothée Chalamet and pop singer Bad Bunny.
Ohtani’s Explosive Performance
Ohtani wasted no time making an impact, doubling on the first pitch of the game. However, he was stranded at third base. In his second at-bat, with the bases loaded, Ohtani connected with a 2-1 curveball from Chinese Taipei starter Hao-Chun Cheng, sending it over the right-field fence for a grand slam. He later added an RBI single in the same inning, finishing the frame with a remarkable five RBIs – the most in a single inning in WBC history.
“I knew it was going to leave the park right after I hit it,” Ohtani said after the game. “It’s important to score first, so I really wanted to drive in at least a run.”
Dominant Team Performance
Japan’s offense exploded for 10 runs in the second inning, setting the tone for the remainder of the game. The inning lasted 28 minutes as Japan batted around. The game was called after seven innings due to the mercy rule, which is in effect when a team leads by 10 or more runs after seven innings.
Yamamoto Credits Ohtani’s Momentum
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Japan’s starting pitcher and last season’s World Series MVP with the Los Angeles Dodgers, credited Ohtani’s grand slam for shifting the game’s momentum. “This was our first game of the tournament and to score the first run is always difficult,” Yamamoto said. “But Shohei hit a huge home run to give us the momentum. So I tip my cap to him.”
Fan Excitement and Ohtani’s Showmanship
Ohtani’s presence drew fans from around the world, including Lia Chan and her family, who traveled from Singapore – a roughly seven-hour flight – specifically to watch him play. “And baseball is not even popular in Singapore,” Chan noted. “We know about baseball, we watch it, but when Ohtani came along it’s just gone out of proportions.”
Prior to the game, Ohtani captivated the crowd with an extended batting practice session, hitting approximately 10 balls out of the park. He then took time to interact with fans and thank the batting practice pitcher.
New Team Celebration
Following his grand slam, Ohtani and his teammates celebrated with a new team tradition: whisking matcha. This follows the pepper-grinder celebration popularized by Lars Nootbaar during the 2023 tournament, and was initiated by pitcher Koki Kitayama this year.
Looking Ahead
Japan will continue pool play in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, aiming to build on this strong opening victory. The tournament continues with games in Tokyo, San Juan, Miami, and Houston, culminating in the final on March 17th at loanDepot Park in Miami.