Defending champion Japan completed an unbeaten group stage at the World Baseball Classic, beating the Czech Republic 9-0 on Tuesday night behind a nine-run eighth inning capped by Munetaka Murakami's grand slam.
After outscoring opponents 39-9 in going 4-0, Japan advanced to a quarterfinal on Saturday in Miami against Venezuela or the Dominican Republic.
Japan rested Shohei Ohtani, who is hitting .556 with two homers, six RBIs and four walks.
The Czechs, the 2025 European championship bronze medalists, finished 0-4 and were outscored 39-5 while batting .167, 19th among the 20 teams and ahead of only Brazil (.130).
Kenya Wakatsuki hit a go-ahead double in the eighth off loser Michal Kovala, who was removed after Ukyo Shuto's three-run homer. Shugo Maki drew a bases-loaded walk from Ryan Johnson, a two-way player who also appears at first base. Murakami drove a fastball at the top of the strike zone 425 feet into the right-center field seats.
Czech starter Ondrej (pronounced Andre) Satoria allowed six hits over 4 2/3 innings, throwing 42 changeups among 67 pitches. His fastest offering was 79.9 mph.
Satoria is famous in Japan. He struck out Ohtani on three pitches in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
“I’m sad,” Satoria said before the game, knowing Ohtani was out of the lineup. “I think a lot of fans are sad, too. Maybe he’s resting for the long trip to Miami.”
Winner Yumeto Kanemaru struck out five over two perfect innings.
All of the Czech players have day jobs. Satoria, who is retiring from the national team, is an electrician and manager Pavel Chadim – that’s Dr. Chadim – is a neurologist.
Chadim wore the 2025 European championship bronze medal to an interview session.
“I have this medal because I want to show to some people in the world that we are not baseball tourists,” Chadim said. “We are doing baseball as professionals. We don’t want excuses. We play as professionals on the field.”
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Rick Bonilla said:
Thank you very much for these thoughtful comments Dr. Skelly.
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