Red Sox

Masataka Yoshida shines for Japan in World Baseball Classic

The outfielder bounced back after going hitless against China on Thursday.

Masataka Yoshida hitting for team Japan in the World Baseball Classic.
Yoshida had three hits against Korea, including a 2 RBI single in the third inning to take a 4-3 lead.

By Peyton Doyle

Newly-acquired Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida had a perfect day at the plate for team Japan on Friday in the World Baseball Classic. 

Yoshida, hitting fifth in Japan’s lineup against Korea, went 3-for-3 with 5 RBIs, a walk, and a sacrifice fly.

His biggest hit came with the bases loaded in the bottom of the third inning, when his two-run single gave his team a 4-3 lead.

Thanks to Yoshida’s effort and Shohei Ohtani’s continued domination at the plate (.571 batting average with 3 runs and 3 RBIs in two games) team Japan won 13-4 and moved to the top of Pool B at 2-0.

Advertisement:

The outfielder’s performance was quite the bounce-back from his game against China on Thursday where he went hitless in his three at bats while leaving five runners on base.

Yoshida wasn’t the only Red Sox player to find success during Friday’s WBC Pool play. 

First-baseman Yu Chang helped fuel the 11-7 comeback for Chinese Taipei against Italy on Friday. The win put Chinese Taipei at 1-1, good for second place in Pool A behind the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

In the sixth inning, a two-run homer from Chang tied the game at 7. He finished the game 2-for-4 with three runs, 2 RBIs, and a walk.

Chang and Chinese Taipei will play next at 6 a.m. EST on Saturday against the undefeated Netherlands squad who feature Xander Bogaerts and Andrelton Simmons.

For Yoshida and team Japan, their next action comes at 5 a.m. EST against 1-1 Czech Republic. If Japan comes out on top in that game then they will lock up their spot in the next round of play since the top two teams from each pool advance.

Conversation

This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com