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Read the full story on SportLook – Samurai Japan advances to WBC final in dramatic fashion
Triple Crown winner Munetaka Murakami has arrived at a time when it matters most.
Murakami hit a clutch double off the wall in center as Japan rallied to a 6-5 Sayonara win over Mexico in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic on Monday night, March 20. (The game ended at 11:45 AM JST on Tuesday.)
The impressive win puts two-time defending champion Samurai Japan into Tuesday’s final in Miami, where they will face defending champion United States at Loan Depot Park. The primary is set for Wednesday at 8:09 AM JST. (Yokohama Dena Baystars left winger Shota Imanaga will start for Japan. Arizona Diamondbacks Merrill Kelly is expected to start for Team USA.)
In the ninth, two-way star Shohei Ohtani keyed a remarkable comeback by Mexico’s Giovanni Gallegos, a veteran MLB shortstop.
Masataka Yoshida, who had hit a game-tying three-run homer earlier in the game, walked and was replaced by pinch runner Ukyo Shuto.
That set the stage for Murakami. The NPB 2022 Central League triple crown winner struggled in the cleanup earlier in the game, striking out three times in his previous four at-bats and most of Japan’s previous games.
But Ohtani’s first-run shot from second and fastest touched off the celebration from the Japanese players and fans.
Continue reading the full story on SportsLook.
Sports editor Ed O’Devon contributed to this report.
Author: Jim Armstrong
The author is a long-time journalist who has worked in sports for over 25 years in Japan. You can find his articles On SportLook.
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