Ohtani’s Japan ousted by Venezuela, ending the WBC title run
TL;DR Summary
Japan’s bid to defend its World Baseball Classic crown ended with an 8-5 loss to Venezuela. Shohei Ohtani delivered another dominant batting display but Japan’s bullpen and late-game lapses cost them, ending their 20-year WBC reign and sending Ohtani back to Dodgers ahead of spring training and the 2026 season.
- With Japan WBC exit, Shohei Ohtani experiences a rare sensation: Failure USA Today
- Venezuela rallies to stun Japan, advances to WBC semifinals ESPN
- Shohei Ohtani ends World Baseball Classic just like in 2023, but as loser instead of champion AP News
- World Baseball Classic: Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata announces he will step down after loss to Venezuela Yahoo Sports
- What a start! Acuña, Ohtani trade leadoff homers in Classic quarterfinals MLB.com
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