Shohei Ohtani homers again, Japan beats rival South Korea in WBC thriller

Jesse Yomtov, USA TODAY Sat, March 7, 2026 at 1:33 PM UTC

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Shohei Ohtani homered again and Japan dug out of an early hole to outlast South Korea for an 8-6 win, improving to 2-0 in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Korea jumped on Japan starter Yusei Kikuchi for three runs in the top of the first on four hits, but Seiya Suzuki hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the opening inning at the Tokyo Dome that instantly cut the deficit. The Koreans held that 3-2 lead into the fourth, when Ohtani hit a solo home run off Korea's Young Pyo Ko to tie the game, the four-time MVP's second homer in as many games in this WBC.

Two batters later, Suzuki connected on his second home run of the game, giving Japan a 4-3 lead. Byeong Hyeon Jo replaced Ko on the mound and Korea's new pitcher was greeted with a solo Masataka Yoshida home run for Japan's third longball of the inning.

But Korea tied the game right back up in the top of the fifth on a two-run homer by Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Hyeseong Kim. The game stayed tied 5-5 until the bottom of the seventh, when Japan played three on Suzuki's RBI walk and Yoshida followed with a single that scored two more.

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Taisei Ota pitched the ninth inning to get the save for Japan.

Japan will face fellow unbeaten Australia (2-0) on Sunday in a game that could decide which country wins Pool C. South Korea (1-1) plays Chinese Taipei (1-2) on Sunday and then Australia in its pool finale on Monday,March 9.

Japan vs South Korea WBC highlightsShohei Ohtani stats vs Korea

Shohei Ohtani went 2-for-2 with a homer, two walks and three runs scored in Japan's 8-6 win over Korea on Saturday.

Through two games in the 2026 WBC, Ohtani is 5-for-6 (.833) with two home runs and 6 RBIs. Ohtani was named MVP of the 2023 tournament.

1 / 0All the electric moments from USA-Brazil World Baseball Classic gameUnited States right fielder Aaron Judge (99) reacts after hitting a home run during the first inning against Brazil at Daikin Park.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Japan beats Korea, Shohei Ohtani home run in 2026 WBC thriller

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