A sudden replacement out in the 2nd inning of the 'Korean Korea' → Finally, I shed tears. "I'm just sorry, but I'll overcome it next time.""

*This content was translated by AI.

He was ambitious as the "defending champion," but the result was up to the quarterfinals like Korea. If South Korea's advance to the quarterfinals, which had been eliminated for the third consecutive group stage, was meaningful, the elimination of Japan, the most winning team, was a shocking result. At the center of it, the minds of major league hitters were more complicated.

The Japanese national baseball team lost to Venezuela 5-8 in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) at Rondipo Park in Miami, Florida on the 15th (Korea time).

At one point in the game, he led 5-2 to expect victory, but was eventually reversed, and the batters dropped their heads silent after the third inning.

Among them, Seiya Suzuki (32, Chicago Cubs), who led the batting line with Shohei Ohtani (LA Dodgers), had no choice but to feel heavier.

Suzuki, who played 151 games in the Cubs last year with 32 homers and 103 RBIs, opened the era of success for the Asian giant with Ohtani, hit .333 (3 hits in 9 at-bats), hit two homers, one strikeout, six walks, five RBIs and four runs, a on-base percentage of 0.600, a slugging percentage of 1.000, and an on-base percentage (OPS) of 1.600. In particular, both home runs were hit in the against South Korea / vs. Korea, causing pain.

However, it was regrettable on this day. Suzuki, who started as center fielder for the third batter, walked out on his first at-bat, but his body broke down while trying to steal. Suzuki, who had a head-first sliding but was out, was in pain as if he had been injured and eventually replaced by Shota Morishita immediately ahead of the defense in the second inning. I have a problem with my right knee.

Morisita minimized Suzuki's gap by hitting a three-run home run in the bottom of the third inning, but after being reversed again, he struck out two, leaving a regret. Suzuki's injury felt even more painful because he desperately needed to score. In the end, Japan, which failed to overcome the three-point gap, suffered the bruise of being eliminated from the quarterfinals for the first time in the WBC.

Suzuki, who had to watch his team's loss in the dugout, ended up in tears. According to Japanese media Full Count, Suzuki said after the game, "I'm just sorry that this happened at the end."

"Suzuki, who met with reporters after the game, was in a state of red eyes," Full Count said. Suzuki said, "I have only been examined by the team doctor. I think I'll go back to Arizona tomorrow for a check-up by the Cubs in Chicago. After that, we will know (the exact condition)," Suzuki said, according to the media, limping on his way home.

He was hamstrung by the injury nightmare again. Even in 2023, when Japan won the championship, Suzuki had to give up his participation due to pain in his left side during the tournament. This time, he felt even more guilty due to the team's elimination.

It is bitter in the mouth, but I think it is definitely a medicine that will help develop Japanese baseball. Suzuki said, "There must have been a lot of things I felt with my skin while dealing with major league players," adding, "I think each player will level up again in such an experience, and I'm the same." I believe this experience will be the foundation for the next competition. I want to overcome it properly next time," he said.

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*This content was translated by AI.