WBC First Round Group C Japan vs Czech Republic (10th, Tokyo Dome)

Samurai Japan's Orix Buffaloes catcher Kenya Wakatsuki came in as a pinch hitter for his former teammate, No. 4 hitter Masataka Yoshida (Red Sox), with one out in the sixth inning.

In 2013, in his 12th year as a pro, he hit his first 100 hit in a season, and his batting ability, which had been an issue, is improving. After a 1-ball start, he hit a fastball from Kobara and hit it as a grounder, but bad throw by short stop Mencik allowed the runner to reach first base safely.