Ohtani Shines as Japan Beats U.S. to Win World Baseball Classic

NYT SPORT: Ohtani Shines as Japan Beats U.S. to Win World Baseball Classic
By James Wagner
Section: Sports
Source: New York Times

A thrilling tournament ended emphatically with Shohei Ohtani striking out Mike Trout to give Japan its third W.B.C. crown.

MIAMI — In a matchup that many had dreamed about all along — between two of the world’s baseball powerhouses and two of its best players in Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout — that is exactly what it came down to.
Ohtani, the two-way phenomenon, was Japan’s designated hitter all game and took the mound in the ninth inning with the chance to close out a title. And with a powerful inning, including a six-pitch strikeout of his Los Angeles Angels teammate Trout, Ohtani sent Japan into pandemonium.
With a 3-2 win, Japan dethroned the United States on Tuesday at loanDepot Park in Miami and claimed the 2023 World Baseball Classic trophy. The United States won the W.B.C. the last time it was played in 2017.
Behind power hitting and stout pitching, Japan went 7-0 in the tournament and further cemented its place as the top country in the history of this tournament, which began in 2006. In the five editions of the W.B.C., Japan has now won three times.
Published Date: March 21, 2023 at 02:00AM

Read More at: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/21/sports/baseball/japan-usa-world-baseball-classic.html

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