Samurai Japan Advance to WBC Q’finals as Top Pool B Team
![](https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/10409036.jpg)
Shohei Ohtani hits a 3-run home run during their Pool B game at the World Baseball Classic at the Tokyo Dome on Sunday.
22:26 JST, March 12, 2023
Shohei Ohtani’s “big fly” led the way as Samurai Japan moved into the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals as the top team from Pool B with a 7-1 victory over Australia to wrap up group action at Tokyo Dome on Sunday.
Right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto got the start for Japan, which swept its four games in pool play, and allowed just one hit and struck out eight over four innings.
![](https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/10409037.jpg)
Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitches during their Pool B game at the World Baseball Classic at the Tokyo Dome on Sunday.
Los Angeles Angels slugger Shohei Ohtani hit a three-run home run in the first inning and American-born Lars Nootbaar also contributed to earing the victory with an RBI single in the second inning.
![](https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/10409035.jpg)
Lars Nootbaar gets a hit in the 2nd inning during their Pool B game at the World Baseball Classic at the Tokyo Dome on Sunday.
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