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Shohei Ohtani ends World Baseball Classic just like in 2023, but as loser instead of champion
Venezuela rallied late with key homers and capitalized on a wild pickoff to defeat Japan 8-5, ending Japan's 11-game World Baseball Classic winning streak, officials said.
- On Saturday night, Shohei Ohtani's infield popup sealed an 8-5 quarterfinal loss to Venezuela at loanDepot park as he jogged to the Japan national baseball team bench removing his gloves and helmet.
- After Morishita's three-run homer, Venezuela responded as Chihiro Sumida allowed Maikel Garcia's two-run homer, Hiromi Itoh yielded Wilyer Abreu's three-run drive, and Atsuki Taneichi's wild pickoff produced another run amid a crowd of 34,548.
- Ohtani led Japan with a.462 average and three homers but was intentionally walked before Morishita's homer and struck out in the fourth and seventh innings.
- Japan's long WBC streak and semifinal record were halted, ending 11 straight WBC wins dating to 2017 and slipping to a.284 batting average and 3.35 ERA without Roki Sasaki.
- With Ohtani limiting his pitching, Japan's rotation decisions have immediate bracket implications as a Monday semifinal against Italy likely sets the title-night opponent, and Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata said they couldn't use Ohtani to pitch, 'Ibata added'.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Associated Press News
Shohei Ohtani ends World Baseball Classic just like in 2023, but as loser instead of champion
Shohei Ohtani walked off the infield after Japan’s World Baseball Classic ended, just like three years ago, only the final out could not have been more different.
Venezuela defeated Japan 8-5, the defending champion, with outstanding offensive moves and pitching control, and will face Italy in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic.
Venezuela’s selection advanced to the semifinal of the World Baseball Classic after beating 8 to 5 the current Japan champion of the Shohei Ohtani superstar in Miami’s LoanDepot Park, and will now look for the pass to the grand final against Italy. Omar López led ahead in the same first inning with Ronald’s home run Acuña Jr. However, at the descent of that stretch, Ohtani also disappeared to match the match quickly. READ ALSO: IRAN RESPONDES TO…
The Venezuelan National Team starred in one of the biggest surprises of the 2026 World Baseball Classic by defeating 8-5 Japan, the current tournament champion, in the Final Quarters at Miami's LoanDepot Park.With this result, the ninth South American team eliminated the Asian team and advanced to the semifinals of the international competition.The duel generated great expectations due to the presence of Shohei Ohtani, a figure of the world base…
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