Shohei Ohtani launched his World Baseball Classic campaign with a powerful grand slam. The Team Japan captain connected for a home run in the second inning against Taiwan, setting the stage for a commanding 13-0 win.
"I knew it was going to leave the park right away after I hit it," Ohtani stated post-game. "It’s important to score first."
He expressed gratitude for fan support, attributing the strong start to their cheers. Ohtani acknowledged the ongoing challenges but emphasized the team's motivation from fan backing.
Los Angeles Dodgers teammate and Japan's starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto commended Ohtani's impact. "Shohei hit a huge home run to give us the momentum," Yamamoto said. "So I tip my cap to him."
Japan aims to defend its world championship title, having won the 2023 tournament against the U.S.