Japan is already 2-0 in the 2023 World Baseball Classic thanks to resounding victories against China and South Korea.
Things were expected to be closer in the affair against Korea, but the “Samurai” won 13-4 and left no margin for doubt.
South Korea actually scored first, taking a 3-0 lead in the third inning after Yu Darvish ran into some trouble.
But Japan would score four runs in the bottom of the third and never looked back.
Two major leaguers have been crucial in Japan being as good as they have been to this point: Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani and new Boston Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida.
Ohtani pitched four innings on Thursday against China, allowing no runs or walks while striking out five.
He also went 2-for-4 at the dish that day.
On Friday, it was Yoshida’s turn to shine.
Masataka Yoshida with a strong day at the dish. 💪 #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/6wI7NlmFTB
— MLB (@MLB) March 10, 2023
Korea just couldn’t get Yoshida out.
The new Red Sox left fielder went 3-for-3 with a walk and a whopping five RBI.
Right fielder Kensuke Kondoh was even better, going 2-for-3 with a double, a home run, and three runs scored.
Still, Yoshida is the one getting the flashes this time.
He is coming off a terrific career in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league in Japan, and hit 21 homers with 89 RBI and an incredible 1.007 OPS in 2022 with the Orix Buffaloes.
For his career, Yoshida has a brilliant .326/.419/.538 line with a .957 OPS in seven seasons in Japan.
He is now about to try his luck in the toughest league in the world: MLB.
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