In a highly anticipated match-up, Japan and China faced off in the opening game of the World Baseball Classic. The game had viewers all around the world glued to their screens, especially with the return of Shohei Ohtani from Japan.

The game started with both teams playing solidly on defense, with Japan initiating a string of hits that would allow them to score in the bottom of the first inning. They never looked back from that point on and kept their lead with great pitching and timely hitting.

Ohtani, who had not played in Japan since 2017, received a warm welcome from the hometown crowd as he stepped up to bat. He lived up to the hype, hitting a double and a single in his first two at-bats to help extend Japan’s lead.

China, on the other hand, struggled to get their offense going, mustering only a few hits throughout the game. Japan’s starting pitcher, Tomoyuki Sugano, kept them at bay with a dominant performance on the mound, striking out eight batters in six innings.

As the game neared its end, Ohtani stepped up to the mound and showed off his pitching skills, striking out two batters in a row with blazing fastballs. The crowd cheered him on as he recorded the final out, securing a comfortable win for Japan.

The victory has set the tone for Japan’s mission to win their third World Baseball Classic championship. Fans can’t wait to see what Ohtani and the rest of the Japanese team will bring in their remaining games.