Japan first to reach WBC quarterfinals
Shohei Ohtani had another RBI double, but it was 21-year-old right-hander Roki Sasaki who stole the show as Japan defeated Czech Republic, 10-2, in Tokyo to clinch a berth in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals.
Sasaki reached 100 mph 21 times in 66 pitches while striking out eight in 3 2/3 innings. He allowed an unearned run, two hits and two walks.
Shugo Maki hit his second home run of the tournament and new Boston Red Sox oufielder Masataka Yoshida had three RBIs.
Ohtani is 5 for 10 so far in the WBC with three doubles, four RBIs and five walks for Japan (3-0), which will host a quarterfinal Thursday. He also has pitched four scoreless innings.
Other WBC games
Rixon Wingrove had four RBIs as Australia (2-0) won in a 12-2 rout of China (0-3) in a game shortened to seven innings by the 10-run mercy rule. ... In Group B at Taichung, Taiwan, Boston’s Yu Chang hit a grand slam that lifted host Taiwan (2-1) to a 9-5 win against Netherlands (21).
Angels
Now that Japan has advanced to the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic, Shohei Ohtani’s path through the tournament and to opening day with the Angels has become clear, and it won’t involve an anticipated matchup against Mike Trout in the WBC semifinals or final as Trout talked about last week. Manager Phil Nevin said that the plan is for Ohtani to pitch in the quarterfinals of the WBC in Japan on Thursday, and to pitch for the Angels March 24 in a Cactus League game against the Padres. That sets up Ohtani to be on his normal five days’ rest before opening day on March30 in Oakland.
Diamondbacks
Outfielder Corbin Carroll has 32 major league games and barely 100 plate appearances. Yet Arizona signed him to an eight-year, $111 million contract. Carroll, 22, isamong the betting favorites — according to FanDuel Sportsbook — to win NL Rookieof the Year.
Royals
Aroldis Chapman, trying to regain his old form in a new uniform, pitched one inning vs. Milwaukee and struck out all three batters he faced on fastballs — minor leaguer Eric Brown Jr. (100 mph), Christian Yelich (101) andMike Brosseau (102).