Moonshots and Mayhem: Japan Outlast Korea 8–6 in Tokyo Dome Classic. -

Japan against Korea was billed as the Clash of the Titans; it became the Game of the Tournament.

Japan came back from a 3–0 deficit and survived a late scare to defeat Korea 8–6 in a tense showdown between two of baseball’s giants.

Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi started with heat, but Korea wasted no time spoiling the party. Three straight singles to open the game put them on the board immediately.

Then came Bo Gyeong Moon.

The grand slam hero from Korea’s opener against Czechia delivered another moonshot – yes, I know I’ve used that line before, but come on – to push the lead to 3–0.

The Tokyo Dome crowd went quiet. Briefly. Was the negativity about the 2026 Japan roster correct? Did they flatter to deceive against Taiwan?

Shohei Ohtani stepped up to the plate. He walked. Seiya Suzuki launched a homer into the stands, and suddenly the deficit was down to one.

Next up was Kensuke Kondoh. The 32-year-old hit .346 in the last WBC but has started this one 0-for-8..

But Japan’s lineup is relentless.

Before Korea could breathe, Suzuki and Masataka Yoshida put Japan ahead with back-to-back solo homers, sending the 42,000 fans inside the Dome into raptures

Suzuki’s second homer made him just the third Japanese hitter in WBC history with a multi-homer game.

At that point, you might have expected Japan to run away with it.

Instead, the game took another twist.

Enter Hyeseong Kim.

The Dodgers infielder isn’t known for his power. He hit just three home runs in 71 games last season. But facing Hiromi Itoh – Japan’s equivalent of a Cy Young winner – Kim crushed a two-run homer to tie the game again. Icon status in Korea beckoned.

Suddenly it was 5–5… and we were still only in the fourth inning.

Innings five and six turned cagey as both sides tightened up on the mound. Itoh found his rhythm, allowing no further hits while striking out six.

For Korea, Ju Young Son and Woo-Suk Go delivered clean innings of their own. Woo-Suk Go spent 2025 bouncing around the United States, pitching for five different minor league teams between the Marlins and Tigers systems.

It all unravelled in the seventh. And all Japan had to do was not swing at bad pitches.

Shugo Maki walked
Sosuke Genda laid down a perfect bunt
Ohtani walked
Kondoh walked (bases loaded)
Suzuki walked (run scores)

Sometimes baseball is beautifully simple.

With the bases still loaded, Masataka Yoshida stepped up.

At the last WBC, Yoshida led the tournament with 13 RBI before his much-hyped move to Boston. His time with the Red Sox hasn’t quite matched expectations, but in Japan’s colours, he is a different player.

He delivered again, driving in two runs to seemingly put the game out of reach.

But Korea weren’t finished.

Jung Hoo Lee doubled to lead off the eighth. Bo Gyeong Moon walked. Ju Won Kim singled to bring in another run.

Then – wait for it, this is good – another moonwalk, this time Hyun Bin Moon, to load the bases.

The tying run was now in scoring position, with Hyeseong Kim – he of the two-run homer earlier in the game – coming to the plate

That earlier talk of him becoming a Korean icon might have sounded like hyperbole. But with the bases loaded and the game hanging in the balance, this was a genuine legend-making moment.

On a 2–2 count, Yuki Matsumoto delivered a sinking fastball that caught the bottom of the zone for a called strike three.

The Tokyo Dome erupted… again.

That was Korea’s moment. There would be no more.

FINAL SCORE: JAPAN 8-6 KOREA

The result sets up a fascinating showdown in Pool C. Japan and Australia – both sitting at 2–0 – will meet tomorrow at 10am GMT with top spot in the group on the line.

Unfortunately, Japan’s victory, combined with Taiwan’s emphatic win over Czechia earlier in the day, brings bad news for the Czechs.

They are not only eliminated, but they are also guaranteed to finish bottom of the group, missing out on automatic qualification for the next World Baseball Classic.

With games against Taiwan and Australia to come, Korea still has control of its destiny. This group is fascinating.

Featured image by Toru Hanai.