Story byJapan designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (16) and manager Hideki Kuriyama (89) enter the ballpark for team introductions against the USA at LoanDepot Park. Aaron ColomaMon, March 2, 2026 at 8:49 PM UTC·2 min readLos Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani and Team Japan lost their first exhibition match ahead of the 2026 WBC to the Orix Buffaloes on Monday. Orix scored three runs in the top of the first inning against Los Angeles Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi through consecutive RBI singles and an error from Team Japan. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTeam Japan struck back in the bottom of the fifth through a Masataka Yoshida solo homer, but another RBI single from Orix’s Mugitani Yuusuke kept the deficit at three. Team Japan scored once more in the eighth inning, and looked to come all the way back in the ninth when Maki Shugo hit a ball down the left field line with runners on first and third and two outs. The runner on second scored easily to cut the lead to one, though the runner on first made a break for the plate and got thrown out with some help from a diving effort out of catcher Mori Tomoya. Shohei Ohtani batted second for Team Japan in the exhibition match, but went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. Yoshinobu Yamamoto is also with Team Japan, but has not featured for them as of yet. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTeam Japan will jump straight back into action Tuesday, as they face the Hanshin Tigers in Osaka, Japan. Mar 21, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Japan designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (16) and manager Hideki Kuriyama (89) enter the ballpark for team introductions against the USA at LoanDepot Park.
