The games in the World Baseball Classic have so far been competitive. Cuba and Italy had never met before in this competition. The game had everything: big hits, big strikeouts, fielding errors, back-and-forth scoring and celebrations. Finally, after 10 innings, the Italian team managed to defeat Cuba 6-3.
Italy with a massive W in their #WorldBaseballClassic opener! 🤌 pic.twitter.com/0e17vNFt3F
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 9, 2023
The first five innings of the game flew by. The game was played for an hour and a half, in which Cuban starter Roenis Elías, formerly of the Seattle Mariners, pitched five shutout innings of two-hit ball. Italy starter Matt Harvey and reliever Andre Pallante matched Elias with five scoreless innings. The duo gave up just three hits and the rest is history. Cuba will now face Panama tonight.
China defeats Japan, 8-1
In a highly anticipated duel, China faced Japan in front of 55,000 spectators at the Tokyo Dome. The focus, of course, was on Japan's Shohei Ohtani.
It is Ohtani's first time playing in the WBC, and he did not disappoint. He pitched four dominant innings, striking out five batters and allowing only one hit. He touched 100 mph with his fastball and reached 99 mph on six more occasions. With their great play and the work of the rest of the team, Japan won 8-1 over China.
What a Sho by Team Japan. #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/f27XTAbAx4
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 9, 2023
In tonight's action, the China will seek to avenge its loss to Japan against the Czech Republic.
