Well, that was fun.
It was one of those games. Strong pitching, back-and-forth offensive displays to keep things interesting, Randy Arozarena being Randy Arozarena, and ending with something scripted from a storybook.
It was the bottom of the ninth inning when Shohei Ohtani stepped up to the plate on Monday night. With “Japan” scribed across his chest in the World Baseball Classic semifinals against Team Mexico, he hit a double to center field.
Outfielder Masataka Yoshida walked in the next at-bat. That’s when Munetaka Murakami doubled on a sharp fly ball to center field to score Ohtani and Ukyo Shuto.
In the end, sending Japan to the finals to play Team USA.
Munetaka Murakami sends Japan to the WBC finals!!!
pic.twitter.com/4KmoyLjV3o — The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 21, 2023
The celebration had Team Japan acting accordingly.
High emotions, high energy, and an extreme amount of high-fives for a finals-bound Shohei Ohtani.
#WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/6NZ934Erdg — Cut4 (@Cut4) March 21, 2023
Up to this point, Japan hadn’t led until that winning run crossed the plate.
The game began with 21-year-old Japanese flame thrower Roki Sasaki who hurled pitches over 100 mph without flinching.
That’s what started it all.
The excitement of the game had even Mexico’s manager, Benji Gil saying, “Japan advances, but the world of baseball won tonight.”
Mexico manager Benji Gil: “Japan advances, but the world of baseball won tonight.”
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) March 21, 2023
As for the matchup on Tuesday, Ohtani will face Los Angeles Angels teammate, Mike Trout. The duo has four American League MVP Awards and 12 All-Star selections between the two of them.
The starters haven’t been announced yet, but after the game, Ohtani did tell Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, he’s prepared to pitch in the game, but will be concentrating on hitting first.
[image: Cut4, Twitter]