*Photo from Japan Forward*
This game had everything you could ask for. Big home runs, fantastic defensive plays, triple digit velocity coming from the mound, electric pitching performances, back and forth momentum shifts, and of course, a walkoff.
Masataka Yoshida tied the game late, Munetaka Murakami drove in the winning run, and Team Japan rallied to defeat Team Mexico with a 6-5 victory in the WBC Semifinals on Monday night in Miami.
With the win, Japan advances to the WBC championship game, where a matchup with Team USA awaits. Currently, Japan is the only repeat champion and two time champion in the history of the WBC, but a win for Team USA would change both of those things. But first, they had to get past Mexico. They did so in dramatic fashion.
Japan superstar Shohei Ohtani said of reaching the championship game that "Obviously, it’s a big accomplishment to get to the championship series, but there’s a huge difference between getting first and second. I’m going to do all I can to get first place."
We'll see some showdowns between MLB teammates as well. For the St. Louis Cardinals, outfielder Lars Nootbaar plays for Japan in the WBC, while Paul Goldschmidt and Adam Wainwright wear the USA red, white, and blue. For the Los Angeles Angels, they see two way star Ohtani face MVP outfielder Mike Trout.
The game was scoreless through the first 3 innings of play. In the top of the 4th inning, Luis Urias got it started, giving Mexico a 3-0 lead with a towering 3 run home run to left field. It stayed that way until the 7th inning. With two outs, Yoshida provided the energy for Japan with a game tying 3 run home run, making the score 3-3.
Asked about his homer, Yoshida said that "I know my hand was a little shivering. But I know that there was a good connection. I remember I stepped into the box with a belief in myself."
In the top of the 8th inning, Mexico quickly bounced back. First, Alex Verdugo doubled home Randy Arozarena to put Mexico ahead by a 4-3 score. With Jarren Duran pinch running, Isaac Paredes singled him home, with Joey Meneses getting thrown out. The score? 5-3 Mexico.
That was when it shifted back to Japan. In the bottom of the 8th, they got one run back when Takumu Nakano scored on a sac fly from Hotaka Yamakawa. With Ohtani and Ukyo Shoto on base in the 9th inning, Murakami doubled to the wall, scoring both runners and giving Japan an electric walk off victory.
Murakami said of his big hit that "When I hit the ball, I was hoping it was going to go into the back stands, but I guess I didn't have enough power to hit the ball out of the stadium. But I know that Shuto was a really fast runner, so I figured we will win."
Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki started for Japan, allowing the homer to Urias and striking out 3 hitters in 4 innings. Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched the next 3 1/3 innings, allowing two runs. Atsuki Yuasa and Taisei Ota each had scoreless appearances, with Ota getting the win.
Angels pitcher Patrick Sandoval started for Mexico, pitching 4 1/3 scoreless innings with 6 strikeouts. Jose Urquidy allowed one run in the following 2 1/3 innings, while JoJO Romero allowed two runs while getting one out. Jesus Cruz pitched 2/3 of an inning, allowing one run. Gerardo Reyes got one out in his relief appearance. Giovanny Gallegos got the loss, allowing the walk off double.
Up next, the championship game between the US and Japan is on Tuesday night in Miami. Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly gets the start for Team USA, while Japan sends Shōta Imanaga to the mound.
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