Emperor Naruhito watches Ohtani and Japan survive scare against Australia at World Baseball Classic | World Baseball Classic
Masataka Yoshida’s late home run sparked Japan’s comeback win over Australia in Sunday’s World Baseball Classic, with Emperor Naruhito making a rare appearance.
The underdog Australian struck first in the sixth inning of the group stage game when outfielder Aaron Whitefield homered after a throwing error by Japan catcher Kenya Wakatsuki. But in the seventh, Yoshida connected on a two-run shot from right-center field. Japan made two more assured runs in the eighth and held on to win 4-3.
Shohei Ohtani, who played in the previous two matches of the tournament, failed to make an impact in front of the fan base at Tokyo Dome on Sunday. The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar was in prime spot to do the damage when he came to bat, loading the bases in the third inning, but Shugo Maki was singled out by Australian catcher Robbie Perkins in the third inning.
The WBC, a global sporting spectacle in its sixth incarnation since its inception in 2006, is a display of Japan’s national pride, with Japan consistently fielding its best players and leading all other countries with three titles.
Emphasizing this importance, Emperor Naruhito watched the game from a box above his home plate, marking the first time since 1966 that a sitting Japanese monarch attended a professional baseball game, according to the Yomiuri newspaper. He was joined by Empress Masako and Princess Aiko. The Emperor turned 66 just a few weeks ago and has focused his attention on commemorating the 15th anniversary of the March 11, 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in northern Japan that killed nearly 20,000 people.
Taking place in Tokyo, Puerto Rico, Houston and Miami, the tournament brings together 20 national teams competing in two-round pools before the top two seeds from each group advance to the quarter-finals.
Having defeated Taiwan and South Korea in Group C, Japan was guaranteed to advance to the knockout stages in Miami. Australia can participate in the tournament if they beat Korea in the last group match.
Samurai Japan became the reigning WBC champions after defeating the United States in the 2023 final, and the two teams are among the favorites to meet in this year’s final.
