TOKYO — Angels star Shohei Ohtani hit a pair of three-run homers in a prep game for the World Baseball Classic, helping Japan defeat the Central League’s Hanshin Tigers, 8-1, in an exhibition on Monday night.
Ohtani went down to his left knee in the third inning when he homered to center off right-hander Hiroto Saiki. Ohtani homered to center again in the fifth against left-hander Ren Tomida.
Ohtani struck out in his first at-bat and suggested he might have had jet lag after traveling from spring training in Arizona.
Ohtani was playing his first game for Japan since an exhibition against the Netherlands on Nov. 13, 2016.
The WBC begins Wednesday with two games in Taiwan: Cuba vs. the Netherlands, and Panama vs. Taiwan. Japan opens Thursday against China at the Tokyo Dome. Ohtani is expected to be Japan’s designated hitter.
Japan won the first two editions of the tournament in 2006 and 2009. The U.S. is the defending champion after winning in 2017. The Dominican Republic is considered a favorite.
This is why Shohei Ohtani is called the unicorn. Dude just went 420 dead center on one knee and also happens to be one of the best pitchers in the world. We are all witnesses.
pic.twitter.com/T8xSfcdwrA— MLB Metrics (@MLBMetrics) March 6, 2023
Shohei Ohtani just massacring baseballs for Team Japan. Hits a couple three-run bombs just to stay in shape. pic.twitter.com/fUO22FSaNm
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) March 6, 2023
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