Japan wins the World Baseball Classic! He seals his three-time championship by defeating the United States – Fox Sports

He World Baseball Classic crowned the Emperor! Japan returned to the ball throne by winning the tournament for the first time since 2009, sealing his third championship by beating 3-2 USA in a dramatic Final held at the Marlins Park in Miami.

Like a fairy tale, the so-called best player in the world, Shohei Ohtanigot the last three outs to secure the rescue, the first in his career, and he did it brilliantly, because although he gave up a walk to Jeff McNeillthen forced the double play with a groundout from Mookie Betts.

And how could it be otherwise, the last batter he faced was Mike Trouthis partner and the other mega star of Los Angeles Angelsyour team in the Major League Baseball (MLB), whom he struck out for the 27th out.

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it was so Japan he closed out the tournament undefeated, beating every opponent that came his way over the course of seven matches. It is the only group with three championships, after those achieved in 2006 y 2009, establishing themselves as the kings of the ball. They will defend their crown in 2026, when a new edition of the World Baseball Classic.

The path to the trophy

The Japanese team, which dispatched Mexico in the Semifinal On March 20, he had to come from behind to win the championship, because in the second inning the starter Shota Imanaga gave up a home run to Trea Turnerwith which the blackboard was inaugurated.

But the Japanese were not intimidated and in the same episode, in the bottom half, they evened the score thanks to a solo home run by Munetaka Murakamiwho left the ninth Mexican lying on the ground the night before.

But it was not all, and Japan went up in the same roll, when Lars Nootbarthe only player in history not born in the country of the rising sun who represents them in the most fair, hit a shot to the box that allowed Kazuma Okamoto will reach home, this before the launches of the right Merrill Kelly.

japan peeled off

the show of Okamoto continued in the fourth inning when he hit a solo homer off the streamer of Kyle Freeland to put two difference on the board. Japan he was closer than ever to a new title.

It was then that the star came Yu Darvish to relief to cool things down in the eighth, but gave up a home run Kyle Schwarberwho thus cut the difference to one run.

Despite the scare, Shohei Ohtani He climbed the mound and fought at the right time to score the save, thus safeguarding a historic victory for Japan.