Suzuki Hits Two Home Runs as Japan Beats Korea 8-6 to Stay Undefeated

Seiya Suzuki launched two home runs at the Tokyo Dome to lead Japan to an 8-6 victory over Korea, moving the defending champions to a 2-0 record in Pool C.

Defending champion Japan secured an 8-6 victory over Korea on Saturday at the Tokyo Dome to remain undefeated in Pool C of the World Baseball Classic. Chicago Cubs slugger Seiya Suzuki powered the offense with two home runs, while Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida each added solo shots to complete a four-homer performance for the Japanese squad. This Japan WBC win followed a dominant 13-0 opening victory against Chinese Taipei on Friday, where Ohtani recorded a grand slam. The Saturday contest saw the two rivals combine for five home runs within the first four innings, highlighting a matchup defined by power hitting over defensive pitching.

Korea established an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning against Japan’s starting pitcher, Yusei Kikuchi. The scoring surge began with consecutive singles from Do Yeong Kim, Jahmai Jones, and Jung Hoo Lee, followed by a two-run double off the bat of Bo Gyeong Moon. Japan responded immediately in the bottom of the frame when Suzuki connected for a two-run home run to narrow the deficit to 3-2. By the third inning, Japan surged ahead 5-3 behind a trio of solo home runs from Ohtani, Suzuki, and Yoshida. Korea leveled the score at 5-5 in the top of the fourth inning when Hyeseong Kim hit a two-run homer against Japan’s first reliever, Hiromi Itoh.

Late Inning Execution and Pitching Results

The deadlock persisted until the seventh inning when Japan broke through for three runs to take an 8-5 lead. Young Kyu Kim, entering the game in relief during the seventh, issued a bases-loaded walk to Suzuki that forced in the go-ahead run. Yoshida then followed with a single that drove in two additional runners. Korea attempted a comeback in the eighth inning, scoring one run to bring the tally to 8-6. However, the Korean side left the bases loaded to end the threat when Yuki Matsumoto struck out Hyeseong Kim. Atsuki Taneichi earned the win on the mound, while Taisei Ota secured the save. Yeong Hyun Park was credited with the loss for Korea.

Standings in Pool C now show Japan and Australia at the top with 2-0 records. These two favorites are scheduled to meet on Sunday to determine positioning for the quarterfinals. Korea currently holds a 1-1 record and is set to face Chinese Taipei on Sunday. The Saturday crowd at the Tokyo Dome included notable spectators such as New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, following Friday’s appearances by Timothée Chalamet and Bad Bunny.

Chinese Taipei Rebounds with Record-Setting Performance

In other Pool C action, Chinese Taipei earned its first victory of the tournament with a 14-0 win over Czechia. The game concluded early due to the mercy rule, which stops play if a team leads by 10 or more runs after seven innings. Stuart Fairchild, an outfielder in the Cleveland Guardians organization who qualified for the team through his Taiwanese mother, provided the decisive blow with a second-inning grand slam. This victory came just 24 hours after Chinese Taipei suffered a 13-0 shutout loss at the hands of Japan.

Chinese Taipei initiated the scoring in the first inning using small ball tactics to take a 2-0 lead. This sequence involved two bunt singles, a double steal, and a throwing error by Czechia catcher Martin Cervenka. After Fairchild’s blast extended the lead in the second, the team added two runs in the fourth, one in the fifth, and five in the sixth. Defensively, Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang earned the win, while Jan Novak took the loss for Czechia. Chinese Taipei also established a new World Baseball Classic record by successfully recording seven stolen bases in a single game. Czechia remains winless in the tournament following the defeat.