by PHILIP FONG/AFP via Getty Images
Despite getting Yu Darvish to star early, Korea didn’t have enough to overcome Japan’s explosive offense as the two-time World Baseball Classic champions continued their early tournament dominance with a 13-4 victory Friday in the Pool B.
Japan got contributions from its entire lineup, including MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani, who went 2-for-3 with two runs, an RBI and two walks.
The big star of the day was soon Boston Red Sox Masataka Yoshida. He went 3-for-3 with a game-high five RBIs, a flawless day at the plate.
Meanwhile, in Pool A, Chinese Taipei picked up their first win of the tournament in a rout against Italy, winning 11-7. Taipei broke a 7-7 tie in the seventh inning behind a slow Kuo-Chen Fan dribbler with the bases loaded.
Chinese Taipei put the game out of reach in the next frame with a Kungkuan Giljegiljaw three-run homer.
The final two matches on Friday are between China and Australia in Pool B at 10pm. ET followed by Panama and Italy an hour later. China is still looking for its first WBC win after losing its first two bouts.
Italy will be looking to get back to winning ways after their previous defeat against Taipei.
Pool B
Japan 13, Korea 4
Things got off to a rocky start for Japan as Darvish, one of the team’s top hitters and an ace for the San Diego Padres, gave up a two-run homer to Euiji Yang in the top of the third inning to put Korea on top in the rivalry game. .
FOX Sports: MLB @MLBONFOX
Euiji Yang knew he got this 💪 Beautiful Homer for Korea!
📺: WBC on FS1 pic.twitter.com/gsZGPLFM6i
Korea eventually took a 3-0 lead later in the inning, but it would be short-lived as Japan’s offense came alive in the bottom half of the frame.
The home team sent the Tokyo crowd into a frenzy as they responded by scoring four runs to take the lead, a lead they would never relinquish. The inning was highlighted by Yoshida, who had two of his five RBIs on a single.
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The Tokyo Dome is shaking!
Japan has 4 runs in the 3rd and takes the lead!
📺: WBC on FS1 pic.twitter.com/4QDFgNOBfK
And of course Ohtani – one of the most dominant players on the planet – was entertaining as Japan pulled away from their rivals and established themselves as the team to beat in Pool B.
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Ohtani enters with a double! Japan just keeps things going!
📺: WBC on FS1 pic.twitter.com/WhRU7mMd1q
FOX Sports: MLB @MLBONFOX
Too easy for Ohtani.
He has another hit and an RBI as Japan keeps playing in this one!
📺: WBC on FS1 pic.twitter.com/hSTp46Pf0R
FOX Sports: MLB @MLBONFOX
And Japan has TEN PLACE in it! 🇯🇵 This violation is terrifying…
📺: WBC on FS1 pic.twitter.com/iOq8wyxWRD
With two terrific attacking displays to open the tournament, Japan also look like a team primed for a deep run and remain one of the favorites to win the overall.
Pool A
Chinese Taipei 11, Italy 7
Taipei’s first win started with a bang. Shortstop Tzu-Wei Lin hit a homer in the bottom of the first inning to fire up the home crowd and give his team life.
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This ball is gone!
Tzu-Wei Lin hits a solo homer and Chinese Taipei is on the board first!
📺: WBC at @Tubi pic.twitter.com/cXGUCRhZKA
It would start off some wild innings as the teams went back and forth for five lead changes. But no matter how big the lead, both teams were unwilling to back down.
One of the memorable moments of the game came in the fourth inning. They lost 5-2, and with the raucous home crowd working against them, Italy fought until the end to get back into the driving seat.
Nicky Lopez, Miles Mastrobuoni and Sal Frelick were at the center of the rally.
FOX Sports: MLB @MLBONFOX
Just like that, Italy has the lead!
2-run double by Sal Frelick and the inning begins!
📺: WBC at @Tubi pic.twitter.com/GYwTw5SUL6
FOX Sports: MLB @MLBONFOX
Italy are looking to get off to a 2-0 start in the #WorldBaseballClassic
Italy eventually took a 7-5 lead, but it would be Taipei who would eventually come out on top.
After tying things at seven on a Yu Chang two-run homer in the sixth inning, Taipei would take the go-ahead in the next frame on Fan’s slow dribble before Giljegiljaw’s three-run shot put the game out of reach.
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This will work!
Chinese Taipei takes the lead in the 7th! We have a GOOD one going down right now!
📺: WBC at @Tubi pic.twitter.com/7kdZ2EomQt
FOX Sports: MLB @MLBONFOX
THIS POINT IS CLOSE!
3-run shot for Chinese Taipei in the 8th! GOOSEBUMPS
📺: WBC at @Tubi pic.twitter.com/rXqZoMHQCZ
It was a huge win for Taipei, who kept themselves in Pool A, currently in second place behind unbeaten Netherlands. Meanwhile, Italy will look to avoid their second defeat in less than 24 hours against Panama on Friday night.
