Sports

Masataka Yoshida Powers Japan Past South Korea in WBC Rout

The Boston Red Sox outfielder, who played eight seasons in NPB, drives in five runs to help Samurai Japan improve to 2-0 in Pool B with a 13-4 WBC victory.

Published

1 year ago

March 11, 2023

Jim Armstrong

Japan's Masataka Yoshida smacks a two-run single to center in the third inning in a 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool B game against South Korea on March 10 at Tokyo Dome. (ⒸSANKEI)

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New Boston Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida drove in five runs on Friday, March 10 as Japan overpowered South Korea 13-4 to improve to 2-0 in the World Baseball Classic.

Yoshida, a two-time Pacific League batting champion with the Orix Buffaloes, signed with the Red Sox through the posting system in the offseason.

He interrupted his first spring training with the American League team to play in the WBC and Japanese fans are sure glad he did.

South Korea jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the third inning at Tokyo Dome, but Japan cut the lead to 3-2 on RBI hits by Lars Nootbaar and Kensuke Kondoh in the bottom of the frame.

Yoshida then put Japan in the lead for good with a single to center that scored Nootbaar and Kondoh to make it 4-3.

WBC — *Samurai Japan players and coaching staff members celebrate Masataka Yoshida's go-ahead single in the third inning. (ⒸSANKEI)*

"Baseball is always tough but the players did well to score in that situation," said Japan manager Hideki Kuriyama. "I told my players to be selective at the plate and try to swing only at good pitches and they were able to do that tonight."