TOKYO, Japan — Samurai Japan got one step closer to a Super Round berth with a 3-1 win over hosts Chinese Taipei. Japan methodically pushed across runs early, and the pitching completely shut down the Taiwanese hitters the rest of the way to keep the reigning champions undefeated in the tournament. The sold-out Taipei Dome was booming all night, but Japan managed to seize the momentum early and held on as Chinese Taipei dropped its first game of the Premier12.
⚾️ Samurai Japan 🇯🇵 stay undefeated at the 2024 #Premier12 with a key win against hosts Chinese Taipei.
With two games remaining, Japan sits alone at the top of Group B. pic.twitter.com/qOi4RwERN1
— SportsLook (@SportsLookJP) November 16, 2024
Before the game, third baseman Ryoya Kurihara was scratched from the lineup with elbow inflammation after taking a hit by pitch in last night’s game against Korea. He should be back later in the tournament, but Kotaro Kurebayashi slid over to the hot corner, and Sosuke Genda slotted in at shortstop for the game.
Chinese Taipei started the night on the wrong note as third baseman Chieh-Kai Pan committed an error. Starting pitcher Po-Ching Chen then walked Kaito Kozono before allowing Masayuki Kuwahara to reach third on a grounder to first. Cleanup man Shota Morishita, Japan’s hero at the tournament thus far, took advantage of the early opportunity with a sacrifice fly to put the Samurai in front. It was a close play at home, but Kuwahara slid in safely.
🇯🇵💣 That got out in a hurry! Solo home run for Sosuke Genda to give Japan a 3-0 lead in the 4th inning.#Premier12 || @Premier12 | @samuraijapan_pr pic.twitter.com/aSMZ4U6KiW
— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) November 16, 2024
Shogo Sakakura led off the 3rd with a walk, and Ryosuke Tatsumi crushed an opposite-field double off the wall later in the inning to extend Japan’s lead to 2-0. In the 4th, Genda, who hit just three home runs in 143 games in NPB this year, made it 3-0 with a solo shot to right, ending Chen’s night.
Hanshin Tigers right-hander Hiroto Saiki came out of the gates throwing gas, touching over 2,600 RPM and 96 mph multiple times in the first two innings – up from his season average of 92.3 mph.
🇯🇵💪 Hiroto Saiki with the strikeout for Samurai Japan, keeping the zero on the board at the Taipei Dome#Premier12 || @Premier12 | @samuraijapan_pr pic.twitter.com/DIywqrpjL6
— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) November 16, 2024
Saiki pitched into the 6th, recording two outs before being relieved by Lotte Marines lefty Shota Suzuki with two runners on. Saiki allowed three hits and two walks, striking out five. Suzuki got pinch-hitter Kung-Kuan Giljegiljaw to ground out to escape the jam.
With two down in the 7th, Chinese Taipei finally got on the board as catcher Pei-Fong Dai hit a line drive solo blast off Nippon-Ham Fighters youngster Koki Kitayama. The Samurai had opportunities to tack on in both the 8th and 9th but couldn’t cash in with runners on.
⚾️💣 Pei-Fong Dai gets Chinese Taipei on the board with a monster shot, getting the 40,000 in attendance at the Taipei Dome energized.#Premier12 || @Premier12 | @ctba pic.twitter.com/YgKMrKzcIg
— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) November 16, 2024
Kitayama pitched a clean 8th, and flamethrower Taisei picked up the save in the 9th for the second straight night, vaulting Japan into sole possession of the top spot in Group B with a 3-1 victory.
Japan’s pitching wasn’t quite as overpowering this game compared to its first two performances, but they held Chinese Taipei to just four hits. In three games this tournament, Japan’s arms have combined for 38 strikeouts and just two walks.
With two games remaining, Japan is effectively a lock to qualify for the Super Round. Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei, 2-1, will still need to win at least one of their next two matchups to have a realistic shot at advancing to Tokyo.
