WBC Group C, first round: Japan 4-3 Australia (8th, Tokyo Dome)

Samurai Japan's second pitcher, Chihiro Sumida (Seibu Lions), left the mound after three innings, giving up two hit strike out one runs (0 earned). The left-hander's impressive pitch, making his WBC debut, has been met with a stream of praise on social media.

After starter Sugano, both teams went to mound from the 5th inning without scoring. In the 5th inning, he got off to a good start by taking struck out on two consecutive swings, and after becoming 2 outs and 1st base, he hit Bazana with a fly to left and finished with no runs. In the following 6 innings, the lead was empty struck out. After becoming one out and second base, he tried to stab second baseman runner, who tried to steal three bases, at third base, and catcher Wakatsuki's bad throw gave Australia a painful first run. In the seventh inning, he did not focus on the fork and closer to a three-way strikeout. Japan's reliever pitcher 's 7-strike out in the WBC was the third feat for him.

Immediately after that, Yoshida hit a two-run home run to put Japan in the lead. Sumida was selected for this tournament as a replacement for Ishii (Hanshin Tigers), and this was his first appearance in the WBC. The left-handed pitcher's sharp pitch has been met with excitement on social media, with comments such as "It was Sumida who brought the momentum to the team!!", "Sumida was definitely the one who brought the lead," and "If we win, Sumida will be MVP."