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| Shohei Ohtani Shohei / Photo: Getty Images |
[Sports Today reporter Kang Tae-gu] Shohei Ohtani and Japan’s national baseball team were upset by Venezuela, ending their bid to repeat as World Baseball Classic champions.
Japan fell 5-8 to Venezuela in a 2026 WBC quarterfinal at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, on March 15.
The loss ended Japan’s run at a second straight title and a fourth overall WBC crown, knocking them out before the semifinals for the first time since the tournament began in 2006.
Superstar Shohei Ohtani started at designated hitter and went 1-for-4 with a homer, a walk, one RBI and two runs scored, but could not stave off the defeat.
Venezuela advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 2009.
Former KBO players Enmanuel De Jesus, who had stints with the Kiwoom Heroes and KT Wiz, took the mound in relief and turned in 2.1 innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out three and yielding no runs to help secure the win.
Venezuela struck first. In the top of the 1st, leadoff hitter Ronald Acuña Jr. pulled a fastball from Japan starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto over the center fielder’s head for a solo home run.
Japan answered immediately. In the bottom of the 1st, leadoff man Shohei Ohtani lined a slider from Venezuela starter Ranger Suárez for a solo shot.
Venezuela reclaimed the lead in the top of the 2nd when Ezequiel Tovar and Gleyber Torres hit back-to-back doubles, but Japan responded with a big third inning.
In the bottom of the 3rd, Sosuke Genda drew a walk and Shohei Ohtani was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out. Teruaki Sato followed with an RBI double to even the score.
With runners at second and third and one out, Shota Morishita deposited a changeup from Suárez for a go-ahead three-run homer, putting Japan up 5-2.
Venezuela chipped away. In the top of the 5th, Maikel García launched a two-run homer off reliever Chihiro Sumida to pull his team closer.
Then in the top of the 6th, with runners on the corners and no outs, Williar Abreu crushed a high fastball from reliever Hiromi Ito for a three-run shot that flipped the scoreboard to a 7-5 lead for Venezuela.
Japan then unraveled defensively. In the top of the 8th, reliever Atsuki Daneichi attempted a pickoff with a runner on second but the play went toward center field; Tovar raced home during the chaos, extending Venezuela’s lead to 8-5.
Japan failed to rally in the bottom of the 9th, and Venezuela completed an 8-5 comeback victory.
[Sports Today reporter Kang Tae-gu sports@stoo.com]
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