TOKYO — This is the Shohei Ohtani effect. Ohtani put on a giant show in batting practice hours before he hit a grand slam in the second inning — in the first he doubled on the first pitch of the game but didn’t score — as Japan hammered Taiwan 13-0 in Pool C at the World Baseball Classic. It was Japan’s first game of four in pool play. READ: Shohei Ohtani’s fourth MVP sparks celebrations in Japan SHOHEI OHTANI GRAND SLAM! #WORLDBASEBALLCLASSIC pic.twitter.com/z0BXjlYInF — World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 6, 2026 Ohtani spoke to the crowd after the game. “I […]... Keep on reading: Shohei Ohtani hits a grand slam in Japan rout of Taiwan