Japan out-duels USA in engrossing 2023 World Baseball Classic final to win third title
Two-way star Ohtani Shohei pitches the ninth inning to close out a narrow 3–2 win for Samurai Japan, giving the team its first trophy since 2009.
Baseball Softball
The script could not have been written much better for Japan to win the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Samurai Japan's two-way star Ohtani Shohei, after going 1-for-3 with a walk at the plate, coming in as the closing pitcher to secure the win by striking out his club teammate and USA captain Mike Trout.
That was enough to give Japan a narrow 3–2 win in the championship game on Tuesday night (March 21) at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, clinching its first title since the team went back-to-back in 2006 and 2009.
Japan also did so with an unbeaten run through the tournament, winning all seven of its games to become just the second undefeated champion in WBC history after the Dominican Republic in 2013.
The Americans struck first, getting on the board in the top of the second inning through Trea Turner – who hit his fifth home run of the tournament and fourth in three games, a solo shot to keep his hot streak alive.
But Japan hit back immediately, with Murakami Munetaka – who had the walk-off double in Monday's semi-final win over Mexico – launching a solo shot of his own before Lars Nootbaar drove in a second run on a groundout.
Japan padded its lead in the fourth inning through a home run from Okamoto Kazuma, and the teams traded scoreless innings until Kyle Schwarber cut the deficit in the top of the eighth against Japan's Darvish Yu, a starter who came in to pitch in relief.
With no score in the bottom half of the inning, Ohtani entered to close the game in ninth to face Jeff McNeil, Mookie Betts - and then Trout.
Ohtani walked McNeil on six pitches, but induced Betts to ground into a double play to wipe out the pinch runner Bobby Witt Jr.
And when Trout swung through strike three, the Japanese celebrations could begin.
Ohtani was named tournament MVP for his exploits, the slugger finishing the tournament with a remarkable slash line of .435/.606/.739 and a 1.86 ERA on the mound.
Speaking to FOX Sports through his translator Mizuhara Ippei after the game, Ohtani said: "Whether I got him (Trout) out, or he got a hit off me, I didn't want to have any regrets. I wanted to make my best pitch.
"This wasn't my first time (closing). I knew I had to prepare for it. Even though it was six (seven) years ago, that experience really helped out.
"This is a different experience, representing your country, and facing all the guys representing their own countries, there's a different intensity there. It was great."
Speaking later in Japanese, Ohtani added:
"Depending on the score it could have turned out differently. It was a close, great game and I was nervous at the end. But I’m glad I managed to close out the game.
"I knew Trout was up if I got the first two outs but I allowed a runner to start the inning. For a second there, I thought it might not happen but then there was the double play.
"It was a great moment followed by a great finish. It doesn’t get any better. I can’t tell you how happy I am with the way things turned out."
Despite coming out on the losing end, Trout reflected on his duel vs Ohtani with the excitement felt around the entire baseball community.
“I saw him after his last at-bat [in the seventh inning] somewhere out in the bullpen,” Trout said. “I think every baseball fan wanted to see that - I've been answering questions about it for the last month and a half. I had a blast.
“Obviously [it] didn't come out the way I wanted it to. I think as a baseball [fan], everybody wanted to see it. He won round one.”
Chimed in Japan outfielder Lars Nootbar, who emerged from the WBC as the second most popular Samurai after Ohtani, “[Mexico manager] Benji Gil said it last night, that, you know, baseball won last night.
"And I think with Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout ending the game the way they did - I think baseball won again.”
Japan skipper Kuriyama Hideki - who also managed Ohtani throughout his NPB career with the Nippon Ham Fighters - succesfully guided his country to the championship after taking over in December 2021 from Inaba Atsunori. Inaba led Japan to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medal.
Kuriyama hinted after the champagne dousing that he may have managed his last game.
"I'm done as a manger after today," Kuriyama said. "From tomorrow, I'll no longer have a title. I personally feel like I've worn the uniform for the last time.
"More than how I feel or anything I've done, I think the young guys playing with the likes of Darvish or Shohei will be something they cherish. I'm just really glad about that."
World Baseball Classic winners and finals – Full list
2006: Japan (beat Cuba 10–6 at Petco Park, San Diego)
2009: Japan (beat Republic of Korea 5–3 in 10 innings at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles)
2013: Dominican Republic (beat Puerto Rico 3–0 at AT&T Park, San Francisco)
2017: USA (beat Puerto Rico 8–0 at Dodger Stadium)
2023: Japan (beat USA 3–2 at loanDepot Park, Miami)