2026 WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC™" First Round Game against Chinese Taipei (6th, Tokyo Dome)

Japan's first game of the first round was a big win over Chinese Taipei, 13-0. Sosuke Genda who started starting line-up as "No.8 short stop" had 3 At Bat 3 hit 4 RBI innings of work.

In the top of the 2nd inning, with no outs and runners on 1st and 2nd, he got the first Hit by Pitch at bat. In that inning, Shohei Ohtani hit a first bases loaded hit and two timely hits, and the second batter came around with two outs bases loaded. Then, on his fourth pitch from count 1-2, he folded his bat and center fielder moved it forward, extending the lead to eight runs.

Then, with two outs and runners on second and third with the score at 11-0 in the third inning, he hit center fielder the sixth pitch of the inning from full count the top of the sixth inning, scoring his 13th run with two consecutive timely hits, and also hit hit to left in the fourth inning, making it 3 hit on the day.

In the previous tournament in 2023, Genda continued to play despite breaking the pinky finger on his right hand, and his solid defense contributed to the team's recapture of the world's top spot. In this year's tournament, he is also making his presence felt with his hitting.

Comment from Genda
I'm glad I was able to hit the ball well when it was going in the right direction.