The 2023 World Baseball Classic approaching an epic conclusion! The penultimate game is on Monday, with Mexico taking on Japan in the second semi-final of the tournament.
Mexico previously beat Puerto Rico, 5-4, while Japan edged Italy, 9-3. The winner of Mexico-Japan will face the American team in the WBC championship on Tuesday (19 h HE, FS1).
Here are Monday’s best games from LoanDepot Park in Miami!
WBC: Mexico vs Japan
FASTball
Roki Sasaki worked a first-two-three first inning for Japan with the first out on a 102 mph warmup.
Pitching on display
Patrick Sandoval retired en route to a one-two-three first inning for Mexico.
No problem
Mexico had runners at first and second with one out in the top of the second, but Sasaki was able to induce a 6-4-3 double play to get out of the inning.
Mexico strikes first
Rowdy Tellez and Isaac Paredes each had a two-out single in the top of the fourth, then Luis Urias gave Mexico the lead with a three-run homer to left field.
Luis Urias hits a three-run homer to give Mexico a 3-0 lead over Japan
Luis Urias hit a three-run homer to give Mexico a 3-0 lead over Japan at the World Baseball Classic.
Sandoval treats
With runners in the corners and two outs late in the fourth, Sandoval froze Munetaka Murakami for hit three to get out of the inning.
Not today, Zurg!
It looked like Japan would cut Mexico’s lead to two when Kazuma Okamoto kicked a left ball in the bottom of the fifth, but Randy Arozarena got up and stole the potential home run.
Stay tuned for updates!
Learn more:
- Trea Turner, USA go deep again, rout Cuba to advance to WBC Finals
- World Baseball Classic 2023 Odds: How to Bet Cuba-USA, Expert Picks
- World Baseball Classic 2023 Odds: How to Bet Japan-Mexico, Expert Picks
- Patrick Mahomes, Justin Turner and more react to Trea Turner’s WBC grand slam
- World Baseball Classic Highlights: USA dominates Venezuela in thriller
- Trea Turner’s Grand Slam leads USA against Venezuela in WBC semis
- 2023 World Baseball Classic Highlights: USA edge Cuba 14-2
- How to watch the 2023 World Baseball Classic: Finals, TV, schedule, dates
WORLD CLASSIC BASEBALL trend
Get more from World Baseball Classic Follow your favorites for game insights, news and more
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2024/04/25/image-60111f51-2d53-49df-8fb4-eda464c5d3ff-85-2560-1440.jpeg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1)
