Japan rides 9-run 8th inning in pool-play finale vs. Czechia

Field Level Media|published: Tue 10th March, 09:32 2026

Feb 20, 2026; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) hits a single against the Chicago Cubs in the third inning at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Ukyo Shuto belted a three-run homer and Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami added a grand slam to highlight a nine-run eighth inning, lifting Japan to a 9-0 win over Czechia on Tuesday in Tokyo.

The game represented the conclusion of pool play for the teams during the World Baseball Classic.

Teruaki Sato opened the scoring on a throwing error and Shugo Maki drew a bases-loaded walk for Japan (4-0), which already won Group C and advanced to the quarterfinals. The Japanese will play the runner-up of Group D on Saturday in Miami.

Hiroto Takahashi struck out five batters and scattered two hits over 4 2/3 scoreless innings for Japan. Hiroya Miyagi retired all four batters he encountered, Yumeto Kanemaru struck out five of the six batters he faced and Koki Kitayama struck out the side in the ninth.

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani did not play in the game for the Japanese.

Baltimore Orioles infielder Terrin Vavra had one of the two hits for Czechia (0-4), which already had been relegated.

Japan collected seven of the game's nine hits through 7 1/2 scoreless innings before Sato was hit by a pitch from Michal Kovala to start the bottom of the eighth.

Kenya Wakatsuki capped an eight-pitch at-bat by ripping a double into the right-field corner. Sato legged his way to third and initially was held up by the third-base coach, only to advance home after right fielder William Escala's throw eluded a pair of cut-off men.

Kaito Kozono took a two-out walk two batters later, and Shuto deposited a 1-0 fastball from Kovala over the wall in right-center field for a three-run homer.

Murakami provided the exclamation point by sending a 2-1 fastball from Ryan Johnson over the wall in center field.

Japan threatened to open the scoring in the fourth inning by putting runners on second and third base with one out. Kozono, however, grounded into a fielder's choice in which Boston Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida was thrown out at the plate. Shuto grounded out harmlessly to end the inning.

--Field Level Media