Australia takes World Baseball Classic opener with shutout 3-0 win over Chinese Taipei

The 2026 World Baseball Classic kicked off Thursday at the Tokyo Dome and Australia got things started with a clean 3-0 shutout win over Chinese Taipei in the tournament opener.

It was a low-scoring, well-pitched game for most of the night. Alex Wells started for Australia and was dominant early, throwing three scoreless innings with six strikeouts on 46 pitches before giving way to the bullpen.

Chinese Taipei did not manage a hit until the third inning when Yu Chang singled against reliever Jack O’Loughlin and the offense never really got going from there.

They put runners on first and second in the ninth with a chance to make things interesting but Australia closer Jon Kennedy caught a bouncing ball, nearly stumbled on his way to first base, and made the toss to record the final out and seal it.

Team Australia takes the opening game of the #WorldBaseballClassic! pic.twitter.com/2yyFxciJSu

— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 5, 2026

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The scoring came in the middle innings. Catcher Robbie Perkins broke the scoreless tie with a two-run home run in the fifth.

Robbie Perkins gives Australia a 2-0 lead

OPPO AUSSIE! 🇦🇺

Robbie Perkins gives Australia a 2-0 lead with the first homer of the 2026 World Baseball Classic! pic.twitter.com/FBr82rGhsa

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 5, 2026

Travis Bazzana added a solo shot to right field in the seventh

Travis Bazzana crushes a no-doubter to extend Australia’s lead 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/XdhO1pSP0Y

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 5, 2026

Bazzana’s homer traveled 383 feet and was the kind of moment that serves as a reminder of just how much talent he has. The first overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft by the Cleveland Guardians, he is 22 years old and already playing on the international stage against professional competition.

Australia’s second shutout in WBC history.

Not a flashy start to the tournament but a professional one. The games that matter most for most people following along begin Friday night in Houston when Team USA takes on Brazil at 8 p.m. on FOX. Pool A play in Tokyo is the appetizer.

Complete Schedule: 2026 World Baseball Classic >>

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