WBC First Round Group C Japan 9-0 Czech Republic (10th, Tokyo Dome)

outfielder Ukyo Shuto (30) showed off not only his speed but also his power in his first WBC starting line-up. With a one-run lead in the eighth inning, with two outs and runners on first and second, he swung at a fastball on the inside corner and drove it powerfully into the right-field stands for a three-run home run. "I didn't know what was going on, so I was running around the field more in shock than joy," he said, forgetting his tea-making pose as he ran around the diamond. When he sat down on the bench, he quickly made a tea-making pose before quickly sipping it. His comical, fast-forwarded movements sparked online buzz, with people saying, "It's not just his feet that are fast."

In his third at-bat with no outs in the seventh inning, he sprinted to first base with incredible speed on a routine grounder to shortstop, turning it into an infield hit. At Bat out once in one struck out in the previous tournament, and this was his long-awaited first hit of the WBC. He immediately stole second base, making it his third stolen base base of the tournament.

On the stand, he said, "I never thought I could hit on a stage like this. home run I couldn't walk like all the hitters, so I came right back," he smiled. He showed his outstanding presence even in the middle of the game, including a super play in the middle defense of the 9th inning against Korea. In the off-season, he gave up his dream of challenging for the majors and signed a large 5-year, 2 billion yen contract. Lawn Depot Park, the stage from the quarterfinals, was the home of a comeback walk-off in the ninth inning of the semifinals with a substitute run. The NPB's prized speedster will also be a weapon in the battle in Miami.