Shohei Ohtani's grand slam ignites historic rally as defending champion Japan defeats Chinese Taipei 13-0

When Shohei Ohtani plays in Japan, he always puts on a show. He frequently participates in on-field batting practice, an uncommon sight in the MLB, aiming to reward the local fans filling the stadium.

On Friday night, during the 2026 World Baseball Classic where Japan's Samurai Warriors shut out Chinese Taipei 13-0 in seven innings, he did not disappoint. He didn't wait long: in his first at-bat, he swung at the first pitch, pulling the ball down the right-field line for a double with an exit velocity of 117.1 mph. However, after two strikeouts by Mei Mei Haojun, Ohtani was stranded at third base.

So, the next time he stepped up to bat, he took care of business directly. With bases loaded, Ohtani sent Mei's curveball into the right-field stands, sparking a 10-run inning—the highest single-inning score in Classic history.

Ohtani batted again in the second inning, hitting a single with one RBI, bringing his total to five RBIs in that inning and setting a Classic record for RBIs in a single inning.

As Ohtani rounded third base, he showcased the national team's new group celebration: grinding matcha. Similar to the pepper grinding celebration initiated by Lars Nootbaar in 2023, this year's gesture was started by pitcher Kohei Kitayama. Ohtani explained that some younger players felt nervous approaching veterans, so he intentionally chose the introverted Kitayama to help ease the atmosphere.

"We are gradually increasing communication," Ohtani said in an interview the day before. "It's not just a performance; we are discussing and striving to create a good team atmosphere. I think our communication is excellent."

If Ohtani and Japan maintain this momentum, they will not only advance to the quarter-finals in Miami but also have a strong chance to claim their fourth World Baseball Classic championship trophy.