A shot of a silent genius hitter leads the final in Japan
The United States and Japan compete for the championship in the finals of the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC). The Japanese baseball team won 6-5 thanks to Munetaka Murakami (Yakult Swallows)’s finishing double in the 9th in the 2023 WBC semifinal against Mexico held on the 21st (hereinafter Korean time) at Rondipo Park in Miami, Florida, USA. . With this, Japan will challenge for the third championship against the ‘defending champion’ USA. This is the first time the two teams will face each other in the WBC finals.
Japan, which passed the first round of Group B with a 4-game win and completely overpowered Italy in the quarterfinals, struggled against Mexico, who reached the WBC quarterfinals for the first time.
Japan’s starting pitcher Roki Sasaki (Chiba Lotte) hit a 3-run home run by Mexico’s Luis Urias (Milwaukee Brewers) in the 4th inning, leading Japan to 0-3. In the 7th, Masataka Yoshida (Boston Red Sox) hit a three-run homer to tie the game 3-3, but gave Mexico two runs in the 8th. In the 8th inning, the three bunt strategy and sacrifice fly made up only 1 point, and the defeat was dark.
However, Shohei Ohtani (LA Angels),카지노사이트 Japan’s proud ‘superstar’, opened the way to the 9th inning. Ohtani, who started as the lead batter, hit a double to get on base, and Yoshida, the next hitter, got a walk. Standing at bat with a safe first and second base chance, Murakami hit a big ball that passed the center fielder, and both runners stepped on the home plate to complete the double play. It is the first time that an end hit came in the WBC semifinals.
Previously, the U.S. baseball team advanced to the finals after beating Cuba. The USA won 14-2 in the semifinal against Cuba on the 20th. The USA, the 2017 WBC champion, advanced to the final for the second time in a row. On the other hand, Cuba dreamed of reaching the final stage for the first time in 17 years since the 2006 tournament, but fell to its knees before the mighty firepower of the United States.
The driving force behind the victory that day was infielder Trey Turner (Philadelphia Phillies) who swept 3 hits and 4 RBIs in 5 at-bats, including 2 homers. Turner ranked first in the most home runs category (4) in this tournament. It came close to Doosan coach Lee Seung-yeop, who holds the record for the most home runs in a single tournament (5) by one car.
The U.S. and Japan will have their final confrontation on the 22nd at 8:00 am at the Londippo Park in Miami, where the semi-finals were held.