Roki Sasaki struck out eight and Japan overpowered the Czech Republic for a 10-2 victory on Saturday within the World Baseball Classic in Tokyo.
Sasaki was dominant, clocking 21 of his 66 complete pitches at or above 100 mph in accordance with the radar gun proven on the TV broadcast.
Japan moved to 3-0 in Pool B and is assured a spot within the quarterfinals.
Pitching on the twelfth anniversary of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that claimed the lifetime of his father and grandparents, Sasaki, 21, allowed two hits and one run.
Marek Chlup doubled and scored within the first inning on a fielding error to present the Czech Republic (1-1) the 1-0 lead.
Japan’s offense, saved off-balance by Ondrej Satoria’s food plan of off-speed pitches and a fastball that by no means hit 80 mph, lastly broke by means of with three runs within the third inning.
Shohei Ohtani’s one-out RBI double helped cost a four-run fourth. Ohtani additionally stole third base.
Satoria had 4 strikeouts and left with a memorable memento. He fanned Ohtani, who spun himself to the bottom and misplaced his helmet.
Japan can full an ideal 4-0 run by means of pool play by beating Australia on Sunday.
Taiwan 9, Netherlands 5
Yu Chang launched a second-inning grand slam and Taiwan handed the Netherlands its first loss in Pool A motion in Taichung City.
Chieh-Hsien Chen doubled, tripled and drove in a run and Li Lin went 3-for-5 with two RBIs for Taiwan (2-1), who by no means trailed after scoring 5 runs within the second inning.
Jurickson Profar singled and scored on a Didi Gregorius single to present the Netherlands (2-1) a 1-0 lead within the first inning. Ray-Patrick Didder hit a solo homer within the ninth inning.
Puerto Rico 9, Nicaragua 1
Marcus Stroman gave up one run over 4 2/3 innings, whereas MJ Melendez, Emmanuel Rivera and Christian Vazquez every drove in a pair of runs as Puerto Rico received the opener in Pool D play at Miami.
Nicholas Padilla picked up the win after recording the ultimate out of the fifth inning. Puerto Rico broke open a tie sport with a five-run fifth inning as Melendez delivered a two-run single to heart.
Elian Miranda hit a house run for Nicaragua, whereas JC Ramirez (0-1) was charged with 4 runs on three hits and a stroll in a 3rd of an inning after he opened the fifth on the mound.
–Field Level Media