Shohei Ohtani delivered a fairytale 3‑2 victory for Japan over the United States on Tuesday, giving the Asian powerhouse its third World Baseball Classic title. Home runs from Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto put Japan ahead early, and the Los Angeles Angels star closed out the win from the mound in the ninth inning. In a perfectly scripted finale at Miami’s LoanDepot Park, Ohtani struck out Angels teammate and U.S. captain Mike Trout to clinch Japan’s third WBC triumph, following victories in 2006 and 2009.
The two‑way threat, the 2021 American League Most Valuable Player who has drawn comparisons to Babe Ruth since joining Major League Baseball, said the win was the highlight of his career. “It’s definitely number one,” Ohtani told FOX through a translator. “It’s got to be up there. It was a story‑book ending.” He added, “More than anything, I appreciate this tournament, this whole situation, this whole atmosphere.” Ohtani, who was named tournament MVP, had fired up his teammates with a rousing pre‑game speech, urging them to “stop admiring” an American lineup regarded as the strongest U.S. baseball team ever assembled. “Obviously, the US lineup, one through nine, they’re all household names, superstars,” Ohtan said afterward. “All the Japanese guys know them. So I didn’t want us to be passive. Show respect— but stay aggressive, stay confident. That’s why I gave that speech.”
The star‑studded U.S. team, defending champions after winning the 2017 edition, were left rueing their inability to contain Japan’s pitchers. Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner gave the hosts a 1‑0 lead in the top of the second inning with a solo shot to left field. Japan answered immediately: Murakami, the hero of Japan’s walk‑off win over Mexico in Monday’s semifinal, launched a home run to right‑center in the bottom of the second off U.S. starter Merrill Kelly. Kelly’s troubles continued as he surrendered singles to Okamoto and Sosuke Genda before walking Yuhei Nakamura to load the bases. U.S. skipper Mark DeRosa pulled Kelly and brought in Aaron Loup, who escaped relatively unscathed. Japan added another run when Lars Nootbaar grounded out to score Okamoto, taking a 2‑1 lead.
Japan extended the margin in the bottom of the fourth when Okamoto crushed a fly ball to left field off U.S. reliever Kyle Freeland, making it 3‑1. The Americans threatened in the fifth, but left Mookie Betts and Nolan Arenado stranded. A similar story unfolded in the top of the seventh: Jeff McNeil drew a leadoff walk, Betts singled, and the U.S. runners were left on first and second with no outs. Trout then lined out to right fielder Kensuke Kondoh, and a double play ended the inning.
In the eighth, Japan’s manager Hideki Kuriyama turned to Yu Darvish to lock down the game. After retiring Arenado, Darvish was jolted by a monster home run from Kyle Schwarber, who sent a fly ball into the upper tiers, cutting the lead to one run. Devin Williams held Japan scoreless in the eighth, setting up a dramatic final inning with Ohtani on the mound.
Ohtani began nervously, walking McNeil, but Mookie Betts grounded into a double play, leaving Japan just one out from victory. The final task was to retire Trout; the U.S. captain struck out swinging, ending the game and sealing Japan’s third WBC championship.
Comments are closed for this story.