TOKYO — Already-qualified Japan were made to sweat by the Czech Republic’s part-time team of teachers and firefighters before the defending World Baseball Classic champions ended pool play with a 9-0 win on Tuesday night.
Playing without rested superstar Shohei Ohtani, Japan had to wait until the eighth inning before they got on the scoreboard against the winless Czechs at the Tokyo Dome.
Japan’s bats eventually came to life to finish Pool C with four wins out of four.
They now head to the knock-out round in the United States looking to win the title for a record-extending fourth time.
“If we lose in the next game, it’s over, so we know we have to give everything on both the pitching and the batting side,” said Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata.
“We want to make sure we leave it all out there.”
Japan were given a tough time by the mostly amateur Czechs, whose pitchers struck out six Japanese batters including Major League Baseball players.
The Czechs were playing at the tournament for a second time and manager Pavel Chadim, a neurologist by trade, said they had proved they were “not baseball tourists.”
“How many tourists can have so many contacts, fight and be so close to the best team in the world?” he said.
“I think that our game — it wasn’t just a dream for Czech baseball — I feel that this is hope for European countries.”
Pitching electrician
Czech starting pitcher Ondrej Satoria, a part-time electrician who made headlines when he struck out Ohtani at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, held Japan scoreless before leaving the game in the fifth inning.
Satoria was playing his final game for the Czechs because he wants to spend more time with his family.
He was close to tears as he left the mound and was given a standing ovation by the crowd of over 40,000 after the game.
Satoria said the game was “the best ending that I could wish [for].”
“Playing against Japan is always special, it’s always special in [the] Tokyo Dome,” he said.
“I really love this stadium because it’s got a really nice aura here.”
Japan’s breakthrough came when a Czech throwing error allowed Teruaki Sato to score in the eighth inning.
Ukyo Shuto then hit a three-run home run to give the defending champions breathing space.
New Chicago White Sox signing Munetaka Murakami, who struck out twice in the game, hit a grand slam home run in the ninth inning.
Japan started the tournament by thrashing Taiwan, but they were made to work hard in subsequent games against South Korea, Australia and the Czechs.
“We’ll try to adjust so that we stay lively once we’re over there,” said manager Ibata.
“The fact that every pitcher got to throw in this round should have a really big impact once we get there.”