Shohei Ohtani powers Japan to exhibition victory

• Published date: 06 March 2023
• Publication title: The Korea Times

With two emphatic home runs that powered his Japanese team to an exhibition game victory Monday night, Shohei Ohtani announced his arrival in the World Baseball Classic (WBC).

If there were any doubts as to who will be the brightest star during Pool B play in Tokyo starting Thursday, they disappeared on the vapor trails of Ohtani's majestic shots against the Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka.

The 2021 American League MVP for the Los Angeles Angels also struck fear into opposing pitchers ahead of the first round, including those for Korea.

Japan's 8-1 victory was in stark contrast to Korea's 4-2 loss to the Japan Series champions Orix Buffaloes earlier Monday at the same venue. Korea committed three errors and didn't score until the ninth inning.

On Tuesday, Korea will take on the Tigers, and Japan will play the Buffaloes.

The longtime Asian rivals will square off at 7 p.m. Friday at Tokyo Dome. Korea will open the proceedings against Australia at noon Thursday, while Japan will play its first game against China at 7 p.m. Thursday, both at Tokyo Dome.

Ohtani is playing for Samurai Japan for the first time since November 2016. He was not on the roster for the previous WBC in 2017 and hadn't played for his country since moving to the majors ahead of the 2018 season.

In his first trip to the plate, Ohtani, batting third as designated hitter, struck out in the top of the first. But with two men aboard in the top third, Ohtani went down to a knee to take Hiroto Saiki deep to center field for a three-run jack.

In his next trip to the plate in the...