Roki Sasaki struck out eight and Japan overpowered the Czech Republic for a 10-2 victory Saturday within the World Baseball Classic in Tokyo.
Sasaki was dominant, clocking 21 of his 66 complete pitches at or above 100 mph, based on 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, stored off-balance by Ondrej Satoria’s eating regimen of off-speed pitches and a fastball that by no means hit 80 mph, lastly broke by 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 pool play by beating Australia on Sunday.
Colombia 5, Mexico 4 (10 innings)
Jorge Alfaro scored from third base on an error within the tenth inning, and Colombia opened Pool C play with a 5-4 victory over Mexico at Phoenix.
Reynaldo Rodriguez hit a two-run dwelling run and drove in three runs on three hits for Colombia, whereas Guillermo Zuniga closed the victory with two scoreless innings. Nabil Crismatt gave up one run in 4 innings because the Colombia starter.
Alfaro, the designated runner at second base to open the tenth inning, moved to 3rd on an infield single and scored when Gustavo Campero’s floor ball to shortstop was misplayed by Mexico’s Luis Urias.
Randy Arozarena had two hits and drove in a pair of runs for Mexico, whereas starter Julio Urias gave up three runs on three hits over 5 innings, with six strikeouts.
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