The Albany Gazette - Sasaki leads Japan to baseball win on disaster anniversary

The 2011 devastating quake unleashed a tsunami that left around 18,500 people dead or missing, and triggered a meltdown at Fukushima nuclear plant.

Sasaki lost his father and grandparents in the disaster, and was forced to live in a shelter with his mother and brothers after the tsunami swept away their house.

Twelve years later, on the anniversary of the disaster, the 21-year-old made his World Baseball Classic debut, issuing a statement of intent when he threw a first pitch that clocked in at a ferocious 162 kilometres (100 miles) per hour.

He is considered to be Japanese baseball's brightest new star -- last year, he became the first pitcher to deliver a perfect game in Japan in 28 years.

He gave a solid performance against the plucky Czechs, whose amateur team of teachers, firemen and financial traders caused problems for Japan early in the game.

He struck out eight batters and gave up two hits and one run before leaving the game just before the end of the fourth inning.

He also left Czech batter William Escala with a nasty bruise on his leg after hitting him with a wayward pitch.

The Czechs are appearing at the World Baseball Classic for the first time.

On Friday, they pulled off a dramatic last-gasp win over China in their opening game.

They took an unlikely lead against Japan when a fielding error allowed Marek Chlup to sprint home and score a run in the first inning.

Japan went ahead with three runs in the third inning and they added four more an inning later, thanks in part to a huge double from superstar Shohei Ohtani.

Shugo Maki hit a solo home run in the eighth inning.

The win moves Japan within touching distance of the quarter-finals, with their final Pool B game against Australia to come on Sunday.

Australia beat China 12-2 earlier in the day in a game that was cut short on the so-called mercy rule because the Australians were 10 runs ahead after seven innings.

(Y.Yildiz--BBZ)