Ohtani and Acuña Hit Leadoff Home Runs in WBC Quarterfinal

First time in WBC history that two MVP winners have opened a game with back-to-back homers

Mar. 15, 2026 at 11:50am

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In a thrilling start to the World Baseball Classic quarterfinal, superstars Shohei Ohtani of Japan and Ronald Acuña Jr. of Venezuela each hit leadoff home runs in the opening innings. Ohtani's blast for the defending champions tied the game at 1-1, while Acuña's shot gave Venezuela an early lead. This marked the first time in WBC history that two reigning MVP award winners have opened a game with back-to-back home runs.

Why it matters

The opening home runs by Ohtani and Acuña set the tone for an exciting quarterfinal matchup between two of baseball's biggest stars and their national teams. It showcased the high level of talent and competitiveness in the WBC tournament.

The details

Acuña homered on the second pitch from World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, driving a 401-foot shot to right-center. In the bottom half, Ohtani led off against Ranger Suárez with a 427-foot blast to center on a 2-1 slider, tying the game at 1-1. Both players celebrated their home runs with enthusiasm, with Ohtani watching the ball, flipping his bat, and motioning to his teammates.

  • Acuña hit his home run in the top of the 1st inning.
  • Ohtani hit his home run in the bottom of the 1st inning.

The players

Shohei Ohtani

A 31-year-old four-time MVP who has helped lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to the last two World Series titles.

Ronald Acuña Jr.

A 28-year-old who won the 2023 NL MVP award and helped the 2021 Atlanta Braves win a championship.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto

The World Series MVP who started the game for Venezuela.

Ranger Suárez

The pitcher who faced Ohtani in the bottom of the 1st inning.

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What’s next

The winner of this quarterfinal matchup between Japan and Venezuela will advance to the semifinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

The takeaway

The opening home runs by two of baseball's biggest stars, Shohei Ohtani and Ronald Acuña Jr., set the stage for an electric quarterfinal game in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. This historic moment showcased the high level of talent and competitiveness in the international tournament.