In Miami, the action kicked off with a bang as the heavy hitters wasted no time electrifying the crowd. Venezuela’s Ronald Acuña Jr. set the stage with a leadoff home run, only for Shohei Ohtani of Samurai Japan to respond in kind during the bottom of the first inning.
Facing Ranger Suarez, Ohtani showcased his prowess on just the fourth pitch. Suarez started strong, landing a four-seamer for a strike.
A low-and-away curveball evened the count, followed by a changeup that missed low, putting Ohtani in a favorable position. Then came the slider-a pitch that landed right in Ohtani’s sweet spot.
He didn’t miss, launching it to right center.
The ball soared off the bat at a blistering 114 mph, traveling 427 feet. The pro-Venezuela crowd fell silent, while Samurai Japan’s fans erupted in celebration. As Ohtani rounded the bases, he signaled for calm with the Japanese tea ceremony gesture, a signature move that embodies the spirit of the team.
And with that thrilling exchange, the game was only just beginning.