The 2023 World Baseball Classic came to a thrilling conclusion on Tuesday as Japan defeated Team USA 3-2 to win the title.
The final at-bat came at two of the game’s greats: Shohei Ohtani, who takes on Angels teammate Mike Trout. After Trout loaded the count, Ohtani was able to get his teammate to hit with one punch to give Japan their third World Baseball Classic title.
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USA vs Japan
trout crowd
Mike Trout scored the first hit of the game – converting a bloop hit into a double in the top of the first inning.
Goalless by one
Merrill Kelly had a nearly flawless first inning, allowing Shohei Ohtani just one walk before defeating Masataka Yoshida to end the first inning.
Trea does it again!
Trea Turner can’t stop hitting home runs. After hitting a big homer in each of USA’s previous two games, he continued his magic in the title game, hitting a homer in his first at-bat to give USA a 1-0 lead.
Japan makes up for it!
It was Japan’s turn and hit a home run at the end of the second. Munetaka Murakami crushed one to right field to make it a 1-1 ball game.
Japan takes the lead
After Aaron Loup replaced Kelly, Japan took the lead as Lars Nootbaar met a fielder choice to tap in a run.
Togo surpasses Trea
Turner didn’t repeat his magic from the second inning when Shosei Togo got him to end the USA’s scoring threat in the third inning.
Freeland beats Shohei and easily gets through the fourth
Kyle Freeland’s first inning of relief work was fast. He tricked Ohtani into putting up a strikeout look and prompted an inning-end double play two batsmen later to end the third.
OK Okamoto!
Kazuma Okamoto added another run to Japan’s lead by smashing a solo shot down left center to make it a 3-1 in game four.
Trout goes fishing on Strike Three
Trout sniffed at a spot in the dirt at the top of fifth, pleasing his teammate on the other side.
Look who’s going to the bullpen in Japan
Japan has two of the game’s best pitchers to pitch relief innings in the title game. Yu Darvish made his way to the bullpen in the fifth inning while Ohtani went to the bullpen in the sixth inning. Ohtani has been given permission to pitch an inning in Tuesday’s game.
This is uncomfortable
As his round in the lineup neared, Ohtani had to jog from the open-plan enclosure back to the dugout in preparation for potentially scoring in sixth place.
Japan out of trouble
After USA got a walk and a single to start the inning, Japan ran into trouble with Trout at the Plate. But the star hitter flew out to the right and Paul Goldschmidt landed in a double at the end of the inning to end the threat.
Oh man Ohtani!
Ohtani somehow beat that infield grounder in the seventh inning, running from home plate to first in 4.16 seconds.
Schwarbomb makes it a one run game
Kyle Schwarber made it a one-run game when he finally lined up his momentum and pushed Darvish’s pitch into the right field bleachers after a handful of fouls to make it a 3-2 in the eighth game.
Sho time
Ohtani took the mound early in the ninth inning and set up a fight against Trout.
Great double game!
After defeating Jeff McNeil, Ohtani tricked Mookie Betts into landing in a double play to give Japan a head start on winning the title.
Ohtani vs. Trout warming up
Ohtani hit the century mark on his fastball and made Trout gasp.
Ohtani beats Trout and Japan wins the WBC!
Ohtani won the legendary fight by throwing an off-speed pitch at 3-2, leading Trout to pounce and secure the title for Japan.
FOREPLAY
Who will win?
Fox Sports’ Ben Verlander, who has been following the tournament from the ground floor in Miami for the past two weeks, explains the keys to victory for each team.
Prepare the stage
Support from fellow players
With Merrill Kelly competing for the USA, Zac Gallen is confident his Diamondbacks teammate can make himself a part of American history.
And support from other American teams
A number of stars from the USA women’s national team also gave their support before the first pitch.
A showdown for eternity
Angels teammates Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani will meet for the first time in Tuesday’s finals. With a championship at stake, both players had a moment to catch up before the game.
Will Ohtani serve?
The Angels have given Ohtani permission to play an innings in Tuesday’s finals, setting the stage for a possible fight between Ohtani and Trout.
This is how the US line-up looks like
Team USA will field another star-studded lineup for the title game, with Mookie Betts leading and Trea Turner moving up to sixth after hitting big homers in each of the last two games.
How big is the moment
Trout didn’t deny that this is the biggest game of his baseball career.
Here come the teams!
Trout and Ohtani led their respective nations up the Diamonds before the championship slope.
Stay tuned for updates!
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