The United States trounced Great Britain 6-2 on Saturday night in the first game of the World Baseball Classic for both teams. Kyle Schwarber hit a three-run home run, and Nolan Arenado had three hits and two RBIs. In the top of the first inning, Trayce Thompson gave Britain a 1-0 lead with a home run that barely made it over the left-center field wall, hitting it off Adam Wainwright. For the Los Angeles Dodgers, Thompson is one of the few players with major league experience on Great Britain’s squad.
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Thompson’s drive deflated Chase Field’s 39,650 fans, but the Americans bounced back. Japan advanced to the quarterfinals Saturday night after beating the Czech Republic 10-2 in Tokyo.
Shohei Ohtani hit another RBI double, while 21-year-old right-hander Roki Sasaki topped 100 mph 21 times in 66 pitches.
The Samurai Warriors battled back from behind 1-0 thanks to a two-run double by new Boston Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida and a home run by Shugo Maki in the third inning off losing pitcher Ondrej Satoria.
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Ohtani had a 1 for 3 games with a walk and left the game early. He has a 5 for 10 records with three doubles, four RBIs, and five walks for Japan. Japan has one more group game and will host a quarterfinal on Wednesday or Thursday. Additionally, Ohtani pitched four scoreless innings.
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Sasaki pitched for 3 2/3 innings and got the win while striking out eight batters. He allowed only two hits, two walks, and an unearned run. Sasaki has a history of successful pitching in the Japanese major league history with 16 perfect games and a 2.02 ERA last year.
In a game shortened to seven innings by the mercy rule, Australia won 12-2 against China, and Rixon Wingrove had four RBIs. Taiwan beat the Netherlands 9-5 with a grand slam from Yu Chang in the second inning, while Panama won 2-0 over Italy in Group B at Taichung.
Colombia won 5-4 against Mexico in 10 innings, with a winning run due to an error by shortstop Luis Urias. In other games, Puerto Rico won 9-1 over Nicaragua, and Venezuela won 5-1 over the Dominican Republic in Miami.
