The 2026 World Baseball Classic opened with a strong showing from Australia, which defeated Chinese Taipei 3-0 on Thursday at the Tokyo Dome behind timely power hitting and dominant pitching.
Travis Bazzana, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft, delivered the biggest moment of the game with a seventh-inning solo home run that helped seal the victory for Australia in the tournament opener.
Bazzana’s blast over the right-field fence extended Australia’s lead to 3-0 and silenced a crowd largely supporting Chinese Taipei, whose fans had filled the Tokyo Dome for the matchup. The homer capped a memorable debut in the international tournament for the Cleveland Guardians prospect.
Australia had taken the lead earlier in the contest when catcher Robbie Perkins broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning with a two-run home run. The drive gave the Australians the only runs they would need as their pitching staff controlled the game from the mound.
Australia relied on three left-handed pitchers who combined for a shutout. Former Baltimore Orioles pitcher Alex Wells started the game and delivered three scoreless innings while striking out six batters. Wells ended his outing by striking out five consecutive hitters, tying one of the longest strikeout streaks in World Baseball Classic history.
Wells’ appearance marked a notable comeback after injuries and setbacks earlier in his career. Following a 2022 elbow ligament sprain and his release from the Orioles organization, he stepped away from baseball before returning to the sport with the Sydney Blue Sox of the Australian Baseball League.
Australia’s bullpen preserved the lead the rest of the way, with Jon Kennedy pitching the final three innings to close out the win. Chinese Taipei threatened in the ninth inning after reaching base on an error and adding a single to bring the tying run to the plate, but Kennedy escaped the jam by fielding a sharp comebacker for the final out.
The victory is viewed by many observers as an early upset. Chinese Taipei entered the tournament as the reigning Premier12 champion and the world’s No. 2-ranked national team.
The loss also complicates the outlook for Chinese Taipei in the tournament’s opening round. Starting pitcher Jo-Hsi Hsu worked four innings but threw 53 pitches, making him ineligible to return unless the team advances to the quarterfinals. The club also saw captain Chieh-Hsien Chen leave the game after being hit by a pitch, adding to injury concerns that had already sidelined two players before the tournament began.
Chinese Taipei faces a difficult matchup next against Japan, the tournament favorite, while Australia will play Czechia in its second game.
Source: MLB