February 20, 2026; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) hit a single against the Chicago Cubs in the third inning at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Image Ukyo Shuto hit a three-run homer and Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami added a nine-run eighth inning grand slam to lead Japan to a 9-0 win over the Czech Republic on Tuesday in Tokyo.
The game marked the conclusion of the team’s pool play during the World Baseball Classic.
Japan advanced to the quarterfinals by winning Group C when Teruaki Sato scored the first goal with a throwing error and Shugo Maki drew a bases-loaded walk. Japan is scheduled to play Group D’s runner-up in Miami on Saturday.
Hiroto Takahashi struck out five batters and allowed two hits and no runs in 4 2/3 innings for the Japanese national team. Hiroya Miyagi threw out all four batters he faced, Yumeto Kanemaru struck out five of the six batters he faced, and Koki Kitayama struck out in the ninth inning.
LA Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani did not play for the Japanese national team.
Baltimore Orioles infielder Terrin Barbra had one of two hits against the already relegated Czech Republic (0-4).
Japan allowed seven of nine hits and no runs over 7 1/2 innings, and Sato started the bottom of the eighth after receiving a pitch from Michal Kovala.
Kenya Wakatsuki finished the eight-pitch at-bat with a double into the right field corner. Sato advanced to third base and was initially intercepted by the third base coach, but right fielder William Escala’s throw eluded a pair of cutoff players and advanced to home.
Kaito Kozono gave up a two-out walk after two batters, and Shuto hit Kobala’s 1-0 fastball over the right-center wall for a three-run home run.
Murakami made an exclamation point by sending Ryan Johnson’s 2-1 fastball over the center field wall.
Japan threatened to open the scoring in the fourth inning by putting runners on second and third base with one out. But Kozono settled on a fielder’s choice that forced out Boston Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida at the plate. Shuto ended the inning with a scoreless grounder.
–Field level media
