TOKYO — Seiya Suzuki stole the spotlight from fellow star Shohei Ohtani on Saturday as Japan edged South Korea 8-6 in a tightly contested World Baseball Classic (WBC) game at the Tokyo Dome. The win kept Japan undefeated in Pool C, with both teams now at 2-0 in group play.

Clutch Power Lifts Japan

Japan’s victory was fueled by a combined five home runs from both teams, with Suzuki delivering a pair of crucial blasts. His two-run homer in the second inning and a solo shot in the fifth gave Japan the momentum it needed to hold off South Korea’s late surge.

“I’m glad I was able to hit in a way that gives the team some momentum,” said Suzuki, a center fielder for the Chicago Cubs. “I want to stay focused and keep it going.”

Ohtani, playing as a designated hitter for Japan, added a towering three-run home run in the third inning, helping to turn the tide in Japan’s favor. The Los Angeles Angels star, who is not expected to pitch in the tournament, also drove in five runs in Japan’s opening game against Taiwan, a 13-0 rout.

South Korea, which had previously beaten Japan in the 2017 WBC, struck first with a three-run first inning against Japan’s starter Yusei Kikuchi. However, Japan responded swiftly, and by the fifth inning, the game was tied at 6-6.

High Stakes for Pool C

With Japan and Australia both at 2-0 in Pool C, the two teams are set to face off on Sunday in a critical showdown that could determine the group’s top seed. South Korea, at 1-1, will face Australia on Monday.

Japan, the defending WBC champions after their 2023 win over the United States, is once again fielding its top players, including Ohtani and Suzuki. The tournament, now in its sixth edition, continues to be a global showcase of national pride, with Japan having won the event three times since its inception in 2006.

South Korea has not beaten Japan in a WBC matchup since 2009, and this game was another example of the intense rivalry between the two East Asian powerhouses. Despite their efforts, South Korea was unable to overcome Japan’s resilience and clutch performances.

Hyeseong Kim, currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers, evened the score for South Korea with a two-run homer in the fourth inning. But Japan’s three-run seventh inning proved decisive, with the team holding on for the win.

WBC Brings Baseball Fever to Tokyo

The WBC has reignited baseball fever in Tokyo, with thousands of fans flocking to the Tokyo Dome area to watch the games and purchase memorabilia. Long lines of fans wearing team jerseys have become a common sight, showcasing the tournament’s popularity in Japan.

The WBC, which runs through March 17, features 20 national teams competing in round-robin pools across Tokyo, Puerto Rico, Houston, and Miami. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals.

Team USA, which faces Japan in the next round, is fielding a formidable lineup this year, including three-time American League MVP Aaron Judge and 2025 Cy Young Award winners Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal. Judge hit a home run in Team USA’s 15-5 victory over Brazil in their opening game.

As the tournament progresses, the eyes of baseball fans worldwide will be on Japan and the United States, with the winner of Pool C set to face the top team from Pool D, where Venezuela and the Dominican Republic are considered favorites.