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What a game! What a tournament! Long live the World Baseball Classic!
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USA 2-3 Japan, FINAL
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Trout takes Ohtani’s first pitch for a ball. Trout swings and misses at a 100mph heater. Unfathomable. 1-1. The next pitch is just outside. 2-1. Trout swings and misses at another fastball. 2-2! Team USA is down to its final strike!
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The next pitch bounces. A full count! 3-2. HE SWINGS AND MISSES. OHTANI HAS STRUCK OUT TROUT TO GET THE SAVE IN THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC FINAL!
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USA 2-3 Japan, top 8th inning
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Schwarber puts up a good battle against Darvish, fouling off pitch after pitch on a 2-2 count. On the eighth pitch, he manages to foul off yet another one. Same thing on the ninth pitch. And on the tenth pitch…
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HE HITS A HUGE HOME RUN. It’s a one run game!
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USA 1-3 Japan, bottom 4th inning
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Okamoto hits a home run off of Freeland! Japan pad their lead!
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USA 1-2 Japan, bottom 2nd inning
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Loup on with bases loaded and just one out. The first pitch is a strike to Nootbaar, who is showing bunt. A sacrifice bunt in this situation? That feels weird.
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The next pitch is a fastball for a strike. Loup gets ahead 0-2 before hitting an RBI grounder to first and Japan takes the lead. That’s as good as a sac bunt in my eyes.
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USA 1-1 Japan, bottom 2nd inning
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Well, that was fast. Munetaka Murakami, who has been having a good week, immediately hits a solo home run to tie up this game.
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USA 1-0 Japan, top 2nd inning
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That’s the reason that Trea Turner was moved up in the lineup. He hits yet another home run, this one on a 2-1 count and the US takes a swift 1-0 lead!
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USA 0-0 Japan, top 1st inning
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Shota Imanaga’s first pitch to Mookie Betts is just on the edge for a called strike and then gets him to fly out for the first out.
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Key occasions
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Closing ideas
They’re handing out medals on the sector, so I believe this makes it an ideal time to wrap issues up. Except for one blowout (let’s not discuss USA vs Cuba ever once more) these knockout stage video games introduced worldwide baseball at its best. It was a pleasure overlaying it for The Guardian. Due to all people for following together with us right here and significantly to everybody who contributed to those dwell blogs over the previous few days. Ciao!
I acquired plenty of emails over these previous couple of innings and didn’t have time to publish all of them. I did very a lot admire the one evaluating cricket to heavy steel acts: you had been positively talking my language there!
I believe these illustrate how thrilling this 12 months’s WBC was and I hope that this implies the subsequent one can be an excellent larger deal.
E mail from Joe Pearson:
It was enjoyable to journey alongside. What an incredible sport!
E mail from Matthew Wai:
Hello Hunter,
Matthew from Sydney and is presently having fun with the hell out of your dwell commentary on Guardian as I’m not in a position to watch the sport dwell… (caught at work).
Wished to specific that my love for baseball has grown exponentially over this WBC interval.
Completely crushed batting, exuberating pitches and passionate followers are the elements of the game taking up high spot of my listing proper NOW!
Sadly, the game will neve be as large right here with (cough cough, cricket) in place.
Maintain banging these out, loving it.
Thanks, Matthew
I really feel like the printed crew hoped for extra emotion from Ohtani, however he appeared surprisingly chill about the entire thing. Definitely much less riled up then I’m, and all I’ve been doing is sitting right here typing.
The cameras persist with Ohtani who speaks by means of a translater. They point out that this was his first time closing a sport since 2016. “That have was enormous for me. I knew how one can put together for it.” I’ll say!
Japan wins the 2023 World Baseball Traditional!
What a storybook ending! Japan has gained its third WBC, defeating the defending champions within the USA and Shohei Ohtani has gotten the ultimate out on the expense of LA Angels teammate Mike Trout!
What a sport! What a match! Lengthy dwell the World Baseball Traditional!
USA 2-3 Japan, FINAL
USA 2-3 Japan, FINAL
Trout takes Ohtani’s first pitch for a ball. Trout swings and misses at a 100mph heater. Unfathomable. 1-1. The following pitch is simply outdoors. 2-1. Trout swings and misses at one other fastball. 2-2! Group USA is all the way down to its ultimate strike!
The following pitch bounces. A full rely! 3-2. HE SWINGS AND MISSES. OHTANI HAS STRUCK OUT TROUT TO GET THE SAVE IN THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC FINAL!
USA 2-3 Japan, high ninth inning
Bobby Witt Jr is in to pinch-run for McNeil. Betts is the subsequent batter. One on, no person out. Betts take a fastball on the nook. 0-1. On the subsequent pitch, he bounces right into a double play.
It’s all all the way down to Mike Trout vs. Shohei Ohtani!
USA 2-3 Japan, high ninth inning
Jeff McNeil is as much as begin the highest of the ninth in opposition to Ohtani, who’s making solely his second reduction look. He works a full rely, fouls the subsequent pitch off. Nonetheless 3-2. Ohtani hasn’t gotten a swing and a miss but, he’s thrown three balls and gotten three foul balls.
And he throws ball 4. McNeil takes his base on a really shut pitch.
USA 2-3 Japan, backside ninth inning
The wonderful factor? The third hitter on this lineup that the USA will trot out in opposition to Ohtani? That can be his teammate Mike Trout, doubtlessly for the ultimate out of the sport. This is sort of a film script!
Joe Pearson on Ohtani:
Ohtani could be the very best baseball participant proper now. For a soccer reference, consider him with the goalkeeping talent of Courtois (as a pitcher) and the scoring talent of Haaland (as a hitter). Only a phenomenal expertise!
I cannot vouch for the accuracy of those comparability, however can say that he’s certainly an outstanding expertise and if he can shut out a victory for his residence nation in opposition to Group USA in a one-run sport that may solely add to his legend.
USA 2-3 Japan, backside eighth inning
Genda is up with a runner on first and two down. Williams will get a strike on Genda, however on the throw, Yamada one way or the other beats out a laser-accurate throw to second base.
So there’s a runner in scoring place now with one out. 0-1 on Genda. The following pitch is a ball. 1-1. Genda will get in entrance of the subsequent pitch. 0-2. Williams’s subsequent pitch is within the grime, blocked by Realmuto. 2-2. Genda faucets one to 3rd and the throw simply beats him.
We’re heading to the highest of the ninth, in a one-run sport and Ohtani goes to attempt to shut this out! HOLY COW!
USA 2-3 Japan, backside eighth inning
Two down, no person out. Yamada will get forward of the rely 2-0 earlier than a strike. 2-1. He appears at one other one. 2-2. The following pitch is simply too low. 3-2.
Ohtani is throwing within the bullpen and I’m so pumped proper now it’s ridiculous.
Again to this at-bat, Yamada fouls off a pitch. 3-2. The following pitch is outdoors and that’s ball 4.
USA 2-3 Japan, backside eighth inning
Okamoto works a full rely, however the outcome is identical as the top of the earlier at-bat: he strikes out swinging.
USA 2-3 Japan, backside eighth inning
Devin Williams, presently with the Milwaukee Brewers, is up subsequent and he managed to get the mighty Murakami to strike out swinging on three pitches.
E mail from William Bradley:
Pricey Hunter,
Due to you and the Guardian for running a blog the championship between Japan (the place I reside) and the U.S. (nation of which I maintain a passport). Up to now a great sport! Although I’m not an incredible fan of nationwide anthems, I couldn’t imagine your saying the Star Spangled Banner suffers compared to Japan’s! The one factor going for Japan’s, is that it’s quick!
As for the sport, comfortable that Murakami has gotten a house run – I’m certain you understand (however didn’t see that you just talked about that he had 56 final season, 2nd all-time and highest ever for a Japanese nationwide). The native media have spent plenty of time feeling sorry for him on the opening of the WBC since he began out very slowly. Maybe he has paled compared to Otani who has been doing effectively from the beginning? As soon as once more the dynamics of gamers who star in Japan vs. those that star outdoors of Japan (evident in soccer/soccer) is at work, however hey, they’re all one staff, proper?
Whats up, I knew this factoid about Murakami, however admittingly solely as a result of the broadcasters admitted it throughout the broadcast. (My information of baseball could be very MLB_centric). So far as my Nationwide Anthem opinions: I’m notorious for my emotions concerning the Star-Spangled Banner (I primarily favor the instrumental variations, thanks very a lot.)
USA 2-3 Japan, high eighth inning
Realmuto pops up. That’s two down. What a key out for Darvish. Mullins flies out, however that is positively quite a bit much less snug for Japan. To the underside of the eighth!
USA 2-3 Japan, high eighth inning
A doubtlessly game-changing at-bat from Schwarber there. Now Trea Turner is up with the USA feeling new life.
He hits a 1-2 pitch to the outfield for a single and he represents the tying run. I assume for this reason Japan was cautious about beginning Darvish in opposition to these US hitters who’re extra conscious of the pitcher. These final two hitters look extra snug.
Solo residence run! (Kyle Schwarber, USA 2-3)
USA 2-3 Japan, high eighth inning
Schwarber places up a great battle in opposition to Darvish, fouling off pitch after pitch on a 2-2 rely. On the eighth pitch, he manages to foul off one more one. Similar factor on the ninth pitch. And on the tenth pitch…
HE HITS A HUGE HOME RUN. It’s a one run sport!
USA 1-3 Japan, high eighth inning
Present San Diego Parde Yu Darvish, initially scheduled to be at the moment’s starter, is right here to be the set-up man for Japan. Darvish is among the most profitable Japanese pitchers to ever attain MLB. The five-time All-Star has a 93-38 document after spending a decade within the majors.
He additionally will get Arenado to fly out to heart for the primary out of the eighth inning.
E mail from Joel Eley:
Hello Hunter,
Nonetheless may go both manner however simply wished to say thanks to your protection by means of the match. Pity yesterday’s sport was not on however hey ho. Actually been nice.
I missed yesterday’s sport between Japan and Mexico attributable to prior commitments and was so irritated once I caught the thrilling conclusion through replay on the bus again residence. It’d find yourself being the very best baseball sport of the 12 months it doesn’t matter what occurs throughout the MLB season.
USA 1-3 Japan, backside seventh inning
The decision stands, as anticipated. He may need been out nevertheless it was so shut that the preliminary ruling can’t be overturned. There’s simply not sufficient proof.
Yoshida can be hitting subsequent, he hits right into a double play so the non-overall name does not harm the US. Now they simply have six innings left to get two extra runs.
Right here’s the issue for Japan: they’re positively not out of the woods but. That could be a very surmountable deficit for this lineup.
USA 1-3 Japan, backside seventh inning
Ohtani, who may find yourself closing this sport out if Japan’s rating stays the identical, is up subsequent with one out and no person on base.
He outruns a routine grounder and is named protected on first! It’s a bang-bang play and it’s going to be challenged right here.
USA 1-3 Japan, backside seventh inning
David Bednar, an All-Star for the Pittsburgh Pirates final season, is pitching for the US and he will get Kondoh to come out to begin the underside of the seventh.
E mail from Alexandra Ashton:
Had a chat with certainly one of my American acquaintances over me watching this ultimate. He had this to say: “You get to see the very best Japanese participant ever.. on an MLB staff devoted to waste his skills perpetually.” Even I, a completely misplaced foreigner, know that he’s speaking about Shohei Ohtani and he’s superb, however what staff does he play for? Are they actually that dangerous? And, absolutely, no world-class participant may have their prime wasted with out profitable something? (Tottenham supporter right here. We’ve two.)
On a much less comical notice, what particularly makes Ohtani so good? I have to say, my untrained eye doesn’t see that a lot distinction between him and the opposite gamers. Perhaps it’s an off day? I’ve no concept.
He performs for the LA Angels, who even have two in Trout, possibly the very best all-around hitter within the sport throughout his profession and Ohtani. What makes Ohtani so particular is that he is among the greatest beginning pitchers in MLB and, on the times when he’s not pitching, he’s additionally their designated hitter and one of many hardest outs within the sport. That genuinely hasn’t occurred for the reason that days of Babe Ruth!
And but the Angels have did not make the postseason throughout the stretch after they’ve had each of them within the roster, even if MLB has prolonged the playoffs. It’s actually a colossal embarrassment for the league.
Seventh inning stretch
In reminiscence of nice jazz organist Joey DeFrancesco.
USA 1-3 Japan, high seventh inning
Goldschmidt hits right into a double play to finish the US’s greatest risk of the sport to this point. Wow, that turned shortly.
USA 1-3 Japan, high seventh inning
So runners on first and second with no person out. Trout, who has not had an enormous sport to this point within the greatest sport of his profession, traces out to proper.
USA 1-3 Japan, high seventh inning
E mail from Sachiko Sato
“one can’t say sufficient about how this Japanese pitching workers has to this point stored this lineup of massive bats at bay.”
Truly, you have got stated nothing concerning the Japanese pitchers. Are you able to inform us concerning the groups they play for, their stats and many others
Truthful sufficient! I’ll attempt to be just a little bit higher at this right here once I can. The brand new Japanese pitcher is Taisei Ota, from the Yorimuri Giants, he has 1-3 document, 2.05 ERA and he has simply walked a pinch-hitting Jeff McNeil and a single to Betts to begin the highest of the seventh inning.
E mail from Farrell:
Topic: From Tāmaki-makau-rau, A/NZ
Nice to have the ability to comply with this from the Devonport to Auckland ferry.
If you happen to consider a seven sport sequence as a unit,baseball will not be so totally different from a 5 day check.
Each may be riveting.
Farrell
That really makes plenty of sense, pondering of the person unit of cricket as being the equal of a baseball postseason sequence.
USA 1-3 Japan, backside sixth
Nootbaar takes strike one. 0-1. The following pitch is simply too hight. 1-1. The following pitch breaks a bit however lands within the strike zone. 1-2. Adam’s a strike away from escaping his self-created jam. Nootbarr fouls the subsequent pitch. Nonetheless 1-2. The following pitch is manner off the nook. 2-2. He flies this one out to Betts and we head to the seventh inning with Japan’s lead remaining two runs.
USA 1-3 Japan, backside sixth
Ohtani has to move again out to hit right here within the backside of the sixth. Adam’s subsequent pitch, that one is outdoors to Nakamura. 1-0. He lastly will get a strike on the nook on the subsequent pitch. 1-1 however Adam loses it as soon as once more and points three strat pitches.
The bases are loaded with one out. The excellent news is that he can get out of this inning with an out. He simply has to get Nootbaar out right here.
USA 1-3 Japan, backside sixth inning
Yamada promptly steals a base on the primary pitch to Genda, surprisingly the primary on this sport! It’s a 1-0 rely on Genda, at the very least till the subsequent pitch when it promptly turns into 2-0. He fouls off the subsequent. 2-1. The following pitch, manner outdoors. 3-1 the subsequent pitch is outdoors, in order that’s back-to-back walks issued by Adam.
At all times just a little anticlimactic each time a stroll follows a stolen base.
USA 1-3 Japan, backside sixth inning
Yamada is up subsequent to see if he can stop this from being a 1-2-3 inning. He works a full rely after which takes ball 4. In order that’s a two-out base runner for Japan.
USA 1-3 Japan, backside sixth inning
Okamoto’s up subsequent. He’s hit a single and residential run already in at the moment’s sport, however this time round he can solely strike out on 4 pitches. Two down.
USA 1-3 Japan, backside sixth inning
Jason Adam is now pitching for the US and he will get Murakami to swing-and-miss on a 2-2 rely for the primary out of the underside of the sixth.
E mail from Sara Myers:
Hello Hunter,
Cricket appears fascinating and I may tolerate the time-sink; I really don’t like the brand new MLB pitch clock as I really feel the video games at the moment are too quick!
Nevertheless, I simply can’t wrap my head round a sport that lasts so long as cricket can and nonetheless finish in a draw.
Thanks for the play-by-play, go USA.
Thanks, I’ve been having a blast these previous couple of days! I’m going to be trustworthy, I’m on the document as being an enormous fan of the MLB pitch clock, however that’s partly as a result of I’m beginning to really feel my age and realizing that I simply don’t have as a lot time left as I did once I was again in my 20s and rooting for extra-inning video games each single night time.
USA 1-3 Japan, high sixth inning
Mullins strikes out on a 2-2 pitch and one can’t say sufficient about how this Japanese pitching workers has to this point stored this lineup of massive bats at bay.
USA 1-3 Japan, high sixth inning
Realmuto up with one out and no person on base and he pulls a ball to 3rd. That’s two down.
USA 1-3 Japan, high sixth inning
Is that Ohtani heading to the bullpen? OMG! I’m sorry about immediately sounding like a young person right here however that might be unbelievable theater.
Hiromi Itoh will get Turner to fly out for the primary out of the sixth inning.
E mail from Olly Crawford-Ellis:
Hello to everybody else following this!
It’s good to know that we are able to have a worldwide dialog about mutual sports activities confusion within the sport part of a significant information web site. That is in-depth evaluation at its greatest.
Cricket is straightforward although. Individuals stand in a discipline for five days and solely cease for tea and sandwiches typically. After 5 days of this, typically there can be a winner however often not.
Cheers!
Maintain up one second I’m now going to test whether or not it’s too late to turn out to be knowledgeable cricket as an uncoordinated 41-year-old who doesn’t perceive even the fundamental idea of the game as a result of that sounds enjoyable as heck.
USA 1-3 Japan, backside fifth inning
Yoshida takes ball one. Then ball two. The following is a strike. 2-1. He fouls off the subsequent, night up the rely. He then bounces out to the pitcher and that’s 5 innings within the e book.
USA 1-3 Japan, backside fifth inning
Ohtani takes a large swing and comes up empty. 0-1. He then takes a ball. 1-1. The following pitch, simply off the surface nook. 2-1. He grounds out to the shift on the subsequent pitch, Kondoh takes second base on the play, so he’s in scoring place for Yoshida.
USA 1-3 Japan, backside fifth inning
Freeland walks Kondoh on 5 pitches, placing a runner on base for Ohtani with two out.
USA 1-3 Japan, backside fifth inning
Freeland is again out for yet one more inning, presumably his final. He will get Nootbaar to fly out for the primary out of the underside of the fifth.
E mail from Rosemary Chiba:
Nice to see dwell protection on the G!
I’m additionally a base-ball ignoramus however married to a Japanese man who can enlighten me and actually one city down the highway from Otani, plus Sasaki from our coast so, rooting for Japan’s victory comeback since 2009.
It’s positively an incredible matchup: Japan gained again in 2009 whereas the US is defending champions. Couldn’t ask for a greater one, looking back.
USA 1-3 Japan, high fifth inning
Schwarber takes ball one. Then he takes ball two. Issues are getting dicey for Japan right here. The following pitch is within the grime. 3-0. Takahashi’s one pitch away from strolling the bases full. Schwarber has the inexperienced gentle, sadly, as he skies the pitch to the outfield for the ultimate out.
We’re midway by means of regulation and that is positively a way more briskly paced sport than Saturday’s between the US and Cuba.
USA 1-3 Japan, high fifth inning
Arenado lays off a pitch simply an inch too low. That’s a great eye proper there. 1-0. He takes a technique outdoors. 2-0. Arenado then pulls a splitter and will get on base. That’s two on base, nonetheless two down.
