Team Japan advanced to the final of the WBC in the most dramatic way possible, beating Mexico on a walk-off in the bottom of the ninth.
The World Baseball Classic is fantastic and Monday night’s semifinal between Japan and Mexico proved it.
For a minute there it really looked like Mexico would be the one taking on the Americans in the final on Tuesday. Mexico led 5-4 going into the ninth. However, Shohei Ohtani and his team had something up their sleeves though.
Ohtani’s lead-off double put the tying run on base. Mexico didn’t take their chances pitching to the hot bat of Masataka Yoshida, walking him to put Munetaka Murakami at the plate with no outs and the chance to win it for Japan.
He did just that, sending a fly ball off the center field wall to send a jubilant Ohtani and pinch runner Ykyo Shuto home for the win.
Japan’s walk-off to beat Mexico in WBC is amazing from all angles
MUNETAKA MURAKAMI WINS IT FOR TEAM JAPAN!!! #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/LNROmpkkes
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 21, 2023
What a tremendous moment for Team Japan and the WBC. It seriously gets better with every angle.
Here’s what it looked like from the stands:
Munetaka Murakami sends Japan to the WBC final with a walk off double! These games keep getting better. pic.twitter.com/79pZvC54bx
— Aram Leighton (@AramLeighton8) March 21, 2023
And here’s a view from the press box:
And he did it. Murakami with a double off the wall and Japan walks it off!
— Michael Clair (@michaelsclair) March 21, 2023
Japan vs USA tomorrow night. Can WBC be every day??? https://t.co/yg1SJ1cyPM pic.twitter.com/4bNH0BNrve
And here’s a slo-mo view of the celebrations:
Love this! pic.twitter.com/AuvihKtEw4
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 21, 2023
And here’s the view from the field:
Team Japan remains undefeated in the 2023 #WorldBaseballClassic! pic.twitter.com/Jb486WdPks
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 21, 2023
And here’s some fans losing it over the incredible ending:
Fans react to the moment Japan defeated Mexico in the #WorldBaseballClassic seminal today. What an amazing game! pic.twitter.com/i2u1mxUaAs
— Jeffrey J. Hall 🇯🇵🇺🇸 (@mrjeffu) March 21, 2023
The WBC has been full of dramatic moments, including Trea Turner’s epic grand slam to put the United States through to the semifinals over Venezuela. This one from Japan might take the cake. At least until the whole thing finishes off on Tuesday.
In a matchup the world has been dreaming of, Team USA will take on Team Japan in Miami for all the marbles. Who knows what thrilling turns the WBC will bring us next.