World Baseball Classic: Masataka Yoshida Lifts Japan Past Australia

After scoring a combined 21 runs in their first two games of the World Baseball Classic, Samurai Japan was held to two hits and zero runs through five innings against Australia on Sunday night, March 8.

And heading into the sixth inning, the game was still scoreless.

But Japan's offense came through in the clutch after falling behind 1-0 en route to a 4-3 victory.

Slugger Masataka Yoshida, who plays for the Boston Red Sox, crushed a two-run home run to right-center off Australia reliever Jon Kennedy with two outs in the seventh inning.

World Baseball Classic — *Masataka Yoshida belts a two-run homer in the seventh. (©SANKEI)*

Japan scored two more runs in the eighth to pull ahead 4-1 before an announced crowd of 42,331.

Australia Rallies in the 9th

Japan reliever Taisei Ota gave up a pair of solo homers in the ninth.

With one out, Alex Hall cut the lead to 4-2 on a homer to right-center.

After Jarryd Dale struck out, Rixon Wingrove clubbed a 2-2 sinker over the fence in left-center.

The next batter, Robbie Perkins, grounded out to first baseman Kazuma Okamoto to end the game.

"In an international tournament like this, there are a lot of tough games, so nobody was giving up until the end," Yoshida said on the field in his post-game hero interview. "The most important thing is that we won."

Japan is 3-0 and leads Pool C as the only unbeaten team.

With Sunday's victory, the reigning WBC champs clinched a spot in the tournament quarterfinals on March 14 against a TBD foe in Miami.

Yoshida, who led all players with 13 RBIs at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, said he was pleased to contribute to Japan's triumph on Sunday.

"I was trying to make my best swing, and it ended up being a home run," Yoshida said. "So I was really happy that it worked out."

Yoshida also homered in Japan's 8-6 victory over South Korea on Saturday.

Australia Capitalizes on Japan's Mistake

The Aussies broke the scoreless tie in the sixth when Aaron Whitefield, who reached on a ground-rule double to right, stole third and scored on catcher Kenya Wakatsuki's throwing error to third.

With that hit, Whitefield improved to 3-for-3 on the night, giving him one more hit than Japan at that point.

In the bottom of the sixth, Wakatsuki had a chance to redeem himself after the throwing error moments earlier. But with runners on first and second and two outs, the catcher grounded out.

Geothermal Power Through the Lens of a Famous Hot Spring City

Japan Extends Its Lead

In the eighth, Teruaki Sato hit a one-out, pinch-hit double into the left-field corner, extending the lead to 3-1 as Ukyo Shuto scored.

Australia manager Dave Nilsson then opted to intentionally walk Shohei Ohtani to load the bases.

Seiya Suzuki, who hit two homers on Saturday, then drew a walk off reliever Ky Hampton. Sosuke Genda scored to make it 4-1.

After Cooper Morgan replaced Hampton, pinch hitter Shota Morishita hit into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Ohtani went 0-for-3 with two walks in the game.

Pitching Details for This WBC Game

Australia starter Connor MacDonald pitched three innings, holding Japan to one hit. He issued three walks and struck out one.

"I'm really proud of Connor," Nilsson told reporters after the game. "He carried a pretty big load tonight. It just shows how hard he worked and how he's used the ABL (Australian Baseball League) to prepare for this moment. Really big stage, obviously nothing bigger than tonight, and it’s a testament to just the work he's put in."

Against Japan, Australia used seven pitchers and they combined to issue 12 walks while fanning two batters.

Japan starter Tomoyuki Sugano, who signed an offseason contract with MLB's Colorado Rockies, worked four innings, fanning a pair of Aussie batters. He allowed four hits and no runs.

"Wakatsuki called a great game," Sugano told reporters. "We talked things through thoroughly before the game, and it really helped us get on the same page. I'm glad I was able to respond to his excellent game-calling."

Lefty Chihiro Sumida, who went 10-10 for the Saitama Seibu Lions in 2025, replaced Sugano. He held Australia to two hits and one unearned run over three innings while striking out seven to get the win.

For Japan, Atsuki Taneichi pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning, followed by Ota, who earned the save.

Japan's four pitchers had a combined 12 strikeouts and walked no batters.

World Baseball Classic Notes

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako along with their daughter, Princess Aiko, attended Sunday's Japan-Australia game.

For the Imperial Family, it was the first time a serving emperor attended a professional baseball game since November 1966. Fifty-nine years ago, Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako were among the attendees of an exhibition game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and an All-Japan team at Korakuen Stadium.

Retired pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, who was named World Baseball Classic MVP in 2006 and 2009, tossed the ceremonial first pitch before Sunday's game.

"Thank you so much for inviting me to throw the first pitch," Matsuzaka said. "Having the honor of doing so at an Imperial Game made it an unforgettable moment for me. I was thrilled to wear the (WBC) uniform from back in 2009. Slipping into that uniform again brought back memories, as it felt like so long since I last did."

In Sunday's early game, Taiwan defeated South Korea 5-4 in 10 innings.

On Monday, South Korea (1-2) and Australia (2-1) square off in the only Pool C game at Tokyo Dome. First pitch is scheduled for 7 PM.

Japan plays its final Pool C game on Tuesday night against the Czech Republic (0-3).

Author: Ed Odeven

Follow Ed's [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and he can be found on X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.