In front of a sold-out crowd at the Tokyo Dome, undefeated Japan won its fifth straight World Baseball Classic game in a row after defeating Team Italy 9-3 on Thursday, March 16, 2023. Japan now advances with Cuba to the WBC semifinals in Miami, With the daunting task of facing Japan starter Shohei Ohtani in the top of the first inning, Dominic Fletcher singled but Team Italy was unable to generate any offense early.

Team Italy manager Mike Piazza handed the ball off to starting pitcher Ryan Castellani, who gave up a leadoff single to Lars Nootbaar and issued a four-pitch walk to Kensuke Kondoh. The right-hander escaped damage after excellent defensive plays by Nicky Lopez and David Fletcher coupled with an inning-ending strikeout of Munetaka Murakami.