Japan secured a spot in the World Baseball Classic final against the United States after winning a tight game against Mexico 6-5 in Miami. Munetaka Murakami hit a walk-off two-run double to give Japan a thrilling victory. Despite never leading the game until the last play, Japan managed to stage an impressive comeback to beat Mexico. Japan has won the tournament twice before, in 2006 and 2009, and reached the semi-finals in the past two editions. Shohei Ohtani, who plays for the Los Angeles Angels, hit a double off the first pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning, and Masataka Yoshida of the Boston Red Sox walked. Ukyo Shuto replaced Yoshida as a pinch-runner, and then Murakami hit a 1-1 pitch off the wall in right-center field, scoring two runs and securing the win for Japan.
Mexico took an early lead in the fourth inning, thanks to a three-run homer by Luis Urias, who plays for the Milwaukee Brewers. However, Japan managed to tie the game in the seventh inning with a three-run shot from Yoshida. Mexico regained the lead in the eighth inning, but Japan was able to halve the deficit in the bottom of the same inning. Taisei Ota earned the win after pitching a scoreless top of the ninth inning.
Ohtani, who hit the crucial double at the bottom of the ninth, said that he is ready to pitch in the final if needed. However, he added that before that, he will focus on helping his team score runs. The final between Japan and the United States will be held on Tuesday.
Japan secured a spot in the World Baseball Classic final against the United States after winning a tight game against Mexico 6-5 in Miami. Munetaka Murakami hit a walk-off two-run double to give Japan a thrilling victory. Despite never leading the game until the last play, Japan managed to stage an impressive comeback to beat Mexico. Japan has won the tournament twice before, in 2006 and 2009, and reached the semi-finals in the past two editions. Shohei Ohtani, who plays for the Los Angeles Angels, hit a double off the first pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning, and Masataka Yoshida of the Boston Red Sox walked. Ukyo Shuto replaced Yoshida as a pinch-runner, and then Murakami hit a 1-1 pitch off the wall in right-center field, scoring two runs and securing the win for Japan.
Mexico took an early lead in the fourth inning, thanks to a three-run homer by Luis Urias, who plays for the Milwaukee Brewers. However, Japan managed to tie the game in the seventh inning with a three-run shot from Yoshida. Mexico regained the lead in the eighth inning, but Japan was able to halve the deficit in the bottom of the same inning. Taisei Ota earned the win after pitching a scoreless top of the ninth inning.
Ohtani, who hit the crucial double at the bottom of the ninth, said that he is ready to pitch in the final if needed. However, he added that before that, he will focus on helping his team score runs. The final between Japan and the United States will be held on Tuesday.
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