Shohei Ohtani wasted no time asserting his dominance on the international stage, blasting a grand slam in the second inning to ignite Japan's explosive offense in a commanding 13-0 victory over Chinese Taipei on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Tokyo Dome. The defending champions opened their 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C campaign with a rout, showcasing the firepower that made them favorites to repeat as titleholders.

A scandal involving baseball's biggest star, the Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani, has clouded the US opening of the MLB season
Shohei Ohtani AFP

Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar serving as designated hitter (not pitching per team agreement), set the tone early. In the first inning, he doubled to right field off Taipei starter Hao-Chun Cheng. Then, in the second, with the bases loaded — thanks to singles by Munetaka Murakami, Shugo Maki and Sosuke Genda — Ohtani crushed a 2-1 curveball deep to right field for his grand slam. The shot gave Japan an immediate 4-0 lead and sparked a historic 10-run frame, the most runs scored in a single inning in WBC history.

The Dodgers two-way phenom finished 3-for-4 with five RBIs, adding a single later that drove in another run. His performance electrified the capacity crowd at Tokyo Dome, where fans waved Japanese flags and chanted his name throughout. The grand slam — a towering drive estimated at 368 feet — came amid high expectations for Ohtani, who helped Japan win the 2023 WBC with a dramatic final out against Mike Trout.

Japan's offense exploded from there. Masataka Yoshida tripled home a run in the same inning, and additional hits from Seiya Suzuki, Kazuma Okamoto and others piled on. By the end of the second, Japan led 10-0. The barrage continued with more runs in later frames, including RBIs from Yuki Wakatsuki and others, pushing the total to 13. Chinese Taipei managed just three hits and no runs against a stingy Japanese pitching staff led by Yoshinobu Yamamoto and relievers.

The mercy rule loomed but was not invoked, as the game continued to full length despite the lopsided score. Japan's pitching held Taipei scoreless, with strong relief work preserving the shutout. The victory improved Japan's record to 1-0 in Pool C, while Chinese Taipei dropped to 0-2 after an earlier loss to Australia.

Ohtani's grand slam highlighted his readiness for the tournament. Speaking pre-game, he emphasized a "less is more" approach for defending champions, focusing on execution over flash. His early heroics validated that mindset, putting pressure on Pool C rivals Australia, Korea and Czechia.

The win reinforces Japan's status as a powerhouse, blending MLB stars like Ohtani, Yamamoto and Suzuki with NPB standouts. Chinese Taipei, despite a competitive roster, struggled against elite pitching and committed errors that fueled Japan's rally.

As Pool C play continues, Japan eyes a strong run toward the quarterfinals. Ohtani's milestone moment — his first grand slam in WBC play — sets a high bar for the defending champs in their quest for back-to-back titles.

The Tokyo Dome crowd's energy and Ohtani's star power made the opener a spectacle, reminding the baseball world why the WBC captivates globally. With Japan rolling early, the path to another championship looks promising.