Shohei Ohtani emerged from the bullpen and fanned Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the ultimate out in the matchup the entire baseball world needed to see, main Japan over the defending champion United States 3-2 Tuesday night time for its first World Baseball Classic title since 2009.
“Whether I got him out or he got a hit off me, I didn’t want to make any regrets. I wanted to make my best pitch,” Ohtani stated by way of an interpreter.
He did, after which some.
Trying to guard a razor-thing edge, with two outs and no one on base, Ohtani flashed 100 mph warmth in getting Trout to swing and miss at two fastballs. With the depend full, Trout waved at a pointy slider to finish the ninth inning.
“I think every baseball fan wanted to see that. I’ve been answering questions about it for the last month and a half,” Trout stated.
“Did you think it was going to end in any other way?” he stated.
Ohtani, the two-way star who has captivated followers throughout two continents, was voted MVP of the WBC and clutched the trophy in opposition to his chest.
Ohtani beat out an infield single in the seventh inning as a delegated hitter earlier than strolling down the left-field line to Japan’s bullpen to heat up for his third mound look of the match.
After strolling large league batting champion Jeff McNeil to start the ninth, Ohtani received Mookie Betts to floor right into a double play.
That introduced up Trout, the US captain and a three-time MVP.
“I saw him take a big deep breath to try and control his emotions,” Team USA supervisor Mark DeRosa stated. “I can’t even imagine being in that moment, the two best players on the planet locking horns as teammates in that spot.”
Ohtani wound up with a save. His solely different save got here in a Japan postseason playoff sport in 2016.
“He’s got nasty stuff,” Trout stated. “He threw me a good pitch at the end.”
Just not the ending DeRosa needed.
“I was hoping it was going to go our way with Mikey popping one against Ohtani,” he stated.
“The whole world got to see Ohtani come in, big spot, battling. It’s kind of how it was kind of scripted. I just wish it would have went different,” he stated.
He added: “But the baseball world won tonight.”
Ohtani batted .435 with one homer, 4 doubles, eight RBIs and 10 walks as Japan joined the Dominican Republic in 2013 to turn into the one unbeaten champions of baseball’s premier nationwide group match. Ohtani, the 2021 AL MVP was 2-0 with a save and a 1.86 ERA on the mound, putting out 11 in 9 2/3 innings.
“What he’s doing in the game is what probably 90% of the guys in that clubhouse did in Little League or in youth tournaments, and he’s able to pull it off on the biggest stages,” DeRosa stated. “He is a unicorn to the sport. I think other guys will try it, but I don’t think they’re going to do it to his level.”
Japan went 7-0 and outscored opponents 56-18, reaching the ultimate for the primary time since profitable the primary two WBCs in 2006 and 2009. No different nation has gained the title greater than as soon as.
Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto homered as Japan constructed a 3-2 lead.
Trea Turner put the US forward in the second together with his record-tying fifth house run of the match and Kyle Schwarber pulled the Americans inside a run when he went deep in the eighth off Yu Darvish.
It was the second straight main title for the Japanese, who beat the US 2-0 in Yokohama for the 2021 Olympic gold medal. Japan used prime gamers in that match whereas the US despatched launched main leaguers and prime prospects.
Turner put the US forward in the second inning with a drive to left in opposition to Shota Imanaga (1-0), tying South Korea’s Seung Yuop Lee in 2006 for essentially the most in a WBC. That lit up a sellout crowd of 36,098 – followers got wristbands with coloured lights that sparkled.
Murakami, at 23 already a two-time Central League MVP, tied the rating on the primary pitch of the underside half when Merrill Kelly (0-1) elevated a fastball. Murakami drove it at 115.1 mph into the right-field higher deck, 432 ft away.
Murakami’s game-ending double lifted Japan over Mexico 6-5 in Monday night time’s semifinal and his third-inning homer off Nick Martinez put Japan forward in the 2021 gold medal sport.
Japan loaded the bases in the second on singles by Okamoto and Sosuke Genda, and a stroll to Yuhei Nakamura. Lars Nootbaar, the primary non-Japanese-born participant to seem for the Samurai Warriors, adopted with a run-scoring groundout off Aaron Loup for a 2-1 lead.
Okamoto boosted the lead in the fourth when he despatched a flat slider from Kyle Freeland over the wall in left-center.
Japan was outhit 9-5 as Imanaga mixed with six relievers to carry the US to 0 for 7 with runners in scoring place. The 29-year-old left-hander and Shosei Togo pitched two innings every, Hiroto Takahashi, Hiromi Itoh and Taisei Ota received three outs every, with Ota escaping two-on, no-outs hassle by retiring Trout on a flyout and getting Paul Goldschmidt to floor right into a double play.
Trout and Ohtani hugged behind the batting cage throughout pregame exercises, then held their nation’s flag whereas main their groups towards house plate in single file in the course of the introductions, Trout down the right-field line and Ohtani in left.
Several thousand followers had arrived hours early to observe Ohtani take batting apply and applauded when he hit a drive off the video board above the second deck in heart.
Trout hit .296 in the match with one homer, seven RBIs and 12 strikeouts.
Shohei Ohtani emerged from the bullpen and fanned Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the ultimate out in the matchup the entire baseball world needed to see, main Japan over the defending champion United States 3-2 Tuesday night time for its first World Baseball Classic title since 2009.
“Whether I got him out or he got a hit off me, I didn’t want to make any regrets. I wanted to make my best pitch,” Ohtani stated by way of an interpreter.
He did, after which some.
Trying to guard a razor-thing edge, with two outs and no one on base, Ohtani flashed 100 mph warmth in getting Trout to swing and miss at two fastballs. With the depend full, Trout waved at a pointy slider to finish the ninth inning.
“I think every baseball fan wanted to see that. I’ve been answering questions about it for the last month and a half,” Trout stated.
“Did you think it was going to end in any other way?” he stated.
Ohtani, the two-way star who has captivated followers throughout two continents, was voted MVP of the WBC and clutched the trophy in opposition to his chest.
Ohtani beat out an infield single in the seventh inning as a delegated hitter earlier than strolling down the left-field line to Japan’s bullpen to heat up for his third mound look of the match.
After strolling large league batting champion Jeff McNeil to start the ninth, Ohtani received Mookie Betts to floor right into a double play.
That introduced up Trout, the US captain and a three-time MVP.
“I saw him take a big deep breath to try and control his emotions,” Team USA supervisor Mark DeRosa stated. “I can’t even imagine being in that moment, the two best players on the planet locking horns as teammates in that spot.”
Ohtani wound up with a save. His solely different save got here in a Japan postseason playoff sport in 2016.
“He’s got nasty stuff,” Trout stated. “He threw me a good pitch at the end.”
Just not the ending DeRosa needed.
“I was hoping it was going to go our way with Mikey popping one against Ohtani,” he stated.
“The whole world got to see Ohtani come in, big spot, battling. It’s kind of how it was kind of scripted. I just wish it would have went different,” he stated.
He added: “But the baseball world won tonight.”
Ohtani batted .435 with one homer, 4 doubles, eight RBIs and 10 walks as Japan joined the Dominican Republic in 2013 to turn into the one unbeaten champions of baseball’s premier nationwide group match. Ohtani, the 2021 AL MVP was 2-0 with a save and a 1.86 ERA on the mound, putting out 11 in 9 2/3 innings.
“What he’s doing in the game is what probably 90% of the guys in that clubhouse did in Little League or in youth tournaments, and he’s able to pull it off on the biggest stages,” DeRosa stated. “He is a unicorn to the sport. I think other guys will try it, but I don’t think they’re going to do it to his level.”
Japan went 7-0 and outscored opponents 56-18, reaching the ultimate for the primary time since profitable the primary two WBCs in 2006 and 2009. No different nation has gained the title greater than as soon as.
Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto homered as Japan constructed a 3-2 lead.
Trea Turner put the US forward in the second together with his record-tying fifth house run of the match and Kyle Schwarber pulled the Americans inside a run when he went deep in the eighth off Yu Darvish.
It was the second straight main title for the Japanese, who beat the US 2-0 in Yokohama for the 2021 Olympic gold medal. Japan used prime gamers in that match whereas the US despatched launched main leaguers and prime prospects.
Turner put the US forward in the second inning with a drive to left in opposition to Shota Imanaga (1-0), tying South Korea’s Seung Yuop Lee in 2006 for essentially the most in a WBC. That lit up a sellout crowd of 36,098 – followers got wristbands with coloured lights that sparkled.
Murakami, at 23 already a two-time Central League MVP, tied the rating on the primary pitch of the underside half when Merrill Kelly (0-1) elevated a fastball. Murakami drove it at 115.1 mph into the right-field higher deck, 432 ft away.
Murakami’s game-ending double lifted Japan over Mexico 6-5 in Monday night time’s semifinal and his third-inning homer off Nick Martinez put Japan forward in the 2021 gold medal sport.
Japan loaded the bases in the second on singles by Okamoto and Sosuke Genda, and a stroll to Yuhei Nakamura. Lars Nootbaar, the primary non-Japanese-born participant to seem for the Samurai Warriors, adopted with a run-scoring groundout off Aaron Loup for a 2-1 lead.
Okamoto boosted the lead in the fourth when he despatched a flat slider from Kyle Freeland over the wall in left-center.
Japan was outhit 9-5 as Imanaga mixed with six relievers to carry the US to 0 for 7 with runners in scoring place. The 29-year-old left-hander and Shosei Togo pitched two innings every, Hiroto Takahashi, Hiromi Itoh and Taisei Ota received three outs every, with Ota escaping two-on, no-outs hassle by retiring Trout on a flyout and getting Paul Goldschmidt to floor right into a double play.
Trout and Ohtani hugged behind the batting cage throughout pregame exercises, then held their nation’s flag whereas main their groups towards house plate in single file in the course of the introductions, Trout down the right-field line and Ohtani in left.
Several thousand followers had arrived hours early to observe Ohtani take batting apply and applauded when he hit a drive off the video board above the second deck in heart.
Trout hit .296 in the match with one homer, seven RBIs and 12 strikeouts.
Shohei Ohtani emerged from the bullpen and fanned Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the ultimate out in the matchup the entire baseball world needed to see, main Japan over the defending champion United States 3-2 Tuesday night time for its first World Baseball Classic title since 2009.
“Whether I got him out or he got a hit off me, I didn’t want to make any regrets. I wanted to make my best pitch,” Ohtani stated by way of an interpreter.
He did, after which some.
Trying to guard a razor-thing edge, with two outs and no one on base, Ohtani flashed 100 mph warmth in getting Trout to swing and miss at two fastballs. With the depend full, Trout waved at a pointy slider to finish the ninth inning.
“I think every baseball fan wanted to see that. I’ve been answering questions about it for the last month and a half,” Trout stated.
“Did you think it was going to end in any other way?” he stated.
Ohtani, the two-way star who has captivated followers throughout two continents, was voted MVP of the WBC and clutched the trophy in opposition to his chest.
Ohtani beat out an infield single in the seventh inning as a delegated hitter earlier than strolling down the left-field line to Japan’s bullpen to heat up for his third mound look of the match.
After strolling large league batting champion Jeff McNeil to start the ninth, Ohtani received Mookie Betts to floor right into a double play.
That introduced up Trout, the US captain and a three-time MVP.
“I saw him take a big deep breath to try and control his emotions,” Team USA supervisor Mark DeRosa stated. “I can’t even imagine being in that moment, the two best players on the planet locking horns as teammates in that spot.”
Ohtani wound up with a save. His solely different save got here in a Japan postseason playoff sport in 2016.
“He’s got nasty stuff,” Trout stated. “He threw me a good pitch at the end.”
Just not the ending DeRosa needed.
“I was hoping it was going to go our way with Mikey popping one against Ohtani,” he stated.
“The whole world got to see Ohtani come in, big spot, battling. It’s kind of how it was kind of scripted. I just wish it would have went different,” he stated.
He added: “But the baseball world won tonight.”
Ohtani batted .435 with one homer, 4 doubles, eight RBIs and 10 walks as Japan joined the Dominican Republic in 2013 to turn into the one unbeaten champions of baseball’s premier nationwide group match. Ohtani, the 2021 AL MVP was 2-0 with a save and a 1.86 ERA on the mound, putting out 11 in 9 2/3 innings.
“What he’s doing in the game is what probably 90% of the guys in that clubhouse did in Little League or in youth tournaments, and he’s able to pull it off on the biggest stages,” DeRosa stated. “He is a unicorn to the sport. I think other guys will try it, but I don’t think they’re going to do it to his level.”
Japan went 7-0 and outscored opponents 56-18, reaching the ultimate for the primary time since profitable the primary two WBCs in 2006 and 2009. No different nation has gained the title greater than as soon as.
Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto homered as Japan constructed a 3-2 lead.
Trea Turner put the US forward in the second together with his record-tying fifth house run of the match and Kyle Schwarber pulled the Americans inside a run when he went deep in the eighth off Yu Darvish.
It was the second straight main title for the Japanese, who beat the US 2-0 in Yokohama for the 2021 Olympic gold medal. Japan used prime gamers in that match whereas the US despatched launched main leaguers and prime prospects.
Turner put the US forward in the second inning with a drive to left in opposition to Shota Imanaga (1-0), tying South Korea’s Seung Yuop Lee in 2006 for essentially the most in a WBC. That lit up a sellout crowd of 36,098 – followers got wristbands with coloured lights that sparkled.
Murakami, at 23 already a two-time Central League MVP, tied the rating on the primary pitch of the underside half when Merrill Kelly (0-1) elevated a fastball. Murakami drove it at 115.1 mph into the right-field higher deck, 432 ft away.
Murakami’s game-ending double lifted Japan over Mexico 6-5 in Monday night time’s semifinal and his third-inning homer off Nick Martinez put Japan forward in the 2021 gold medal sport.
Japan loaded the bases in the second on singles by Okamoto and Sosuke Genda, and a stroll to Yuhei Nakamura. Lars Nootbaar, the primary non-Japanese-born participant to seem for the Samurai Warriors, adopted with a run-scoring groundout off Aaron Loup for a 2-1 lead.
Okamoto boosted the lead in the fourth when he despatched a flat slider from Kyle Freeland over the wall in left-center.
Japan was outhit 9-5 as Imanaga mixed with six relievers to carry the US to 0 for 7 with runners in scoring place. The 29-year-old left-hander and Shosei Togo pitched two innings every, Hiroto Takahashi, Hiromi Itoh and Taisei Ota received three outs every, with Ota escaping two-on, no-outs hassle by retiring Trout on a flyout and getting Paul Goldschmidt to floor right into a double play.
Trout and Ohtani hugged behind the batting cage throughout pregame exercises, then held their nation’s flag whereas main their groups towards house plate in single file in the course of the introductions, Trout down the right-field line and Ohtani in left.
Several thousand followers had arrived hours early to observe Ohtani take batting apply and applauded when he hit a drive off the video board above the second deck in heart.
Trout hit .296 in the match with one homer, seven RBIs and 12 strikeouts.
Shohei Ohtani emerged from the bullpen and fanned Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the ultimate out in the matchup the entire baseball world needed to see, main Japan over the defending champion United States 3-2 Tuesday night time for its first World Baseball Classic title since 2009.
“Whether I got him out or he got a hit off me, I didn’t want to make any regrets. I wanted to make my best pitch,” Ohtani stated by way of an interpreter.
He did, after which some.
Trying to guard a razor-thing edge, with two outs and no one on base, Ohtani flashed 100 mph warmth in getting Trout to swing and miss at two fastballs. With the depend full, Trout waved at a pointy slider to finish the ninth inning.
“I think every baseball fan wanted to see that. I’ve been answering questions about it for the last month and a half,” Trout stated.
“Did you think it was going to end in any other way?” he stated.
Ohtani, the two-way star who has captivated followers throughout two continents, was voted MVP of the WBC and clutched the trophy in opposition to his chest.
Ohtani beat out an infield single in the seventh inning as a delegated hitter earlier than strolling down the left-field line to Japan’s bullpen to heat up for his third mound look of the match.
After strolling large league batting champion Jeff McNeil to start the ninth, Ohtani received Mookie Betts to floor right into a double play.
That introduced up Trout, the US captain and a three-time MVP.
“I saw him take a big deep breath to try and control his emotions,” Team USA supervisor Mark DeRosa stated. “I can’t even imagine being in that moment, the two best players on the planet locking horns as teammates in that spot.”
Ohtani wound up with a save. His solely different save got here in a Japan postseason playoff sport in 2016.
“He’s got nasty stuff,” Trout stated. “He threw me a good pitch at the end.”
Just not the ending DeRosa needed.
“I was hoping it was going to go our way with Mikey popping one against Ohtani,” he stated.
“The whole world got to see Ohtani come in, big spot, battling. It’s kind of how it was kind of scripted. I just wish it would have went different,” he stated.
He added: “But the baseball world won tonight.”
Ohtani batted .435 with one homer, 4 doubles, eight RBIs and 10 walks as Japan joined the Dominican Republic in 2013 to turn into the one unbeaten champions of baseball’s premier nationwide group match. Ohtani, the 2021 AL MVP was 2-0 with a save and a 1.86 ERA on the mound, putting out 11 in 9 2/3 innings.
“What he’s doing in the game is what probably 90% of the guys in that clubhouse did in Little League or in youth tournaments, and he’s able to pull it off on the biggest stages,” DeRosa stated. “He is a unicorn to the sport. I think other guys will try it, but I don’t think they’re going to do it to his level.”
Japan went 7-0 and outscored opponents 56-18, reaching the ultimate for the primary time since profitable the primary two WBCs in 2006 and 2009. No different nation has gained the title greater than as soon as.
Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto homered as Japan constructed a 3-2 lead.
Trea Turner put the US forward in the second together with his record-tying fifth house run of the match and Kyle Schwarber pulled the Americans inside a run when he went deep in the eighth off Yu Darvish.
It was the second straight main title for the Japanese, who beat the US 2-0 in Yokohama for the 2021 Olympic gold medal. Japan used prime gamers in that match whereas the US despatched launched main leaguers and prime prospects.
Turner put the US forward in the second inning with a drive to left in opposition to Shota Imanaga (1-0), tying South Korea’s Seung Yuop Lee in 2006 for essentially the most in a WBC. That lit up a sellout crowd of 36,098 – followers got wristbands with coloured lights that sparkled.
Murakami, at 23 already a two-time Central League MVP, tied the rating on the primary pitch of the underside half when Merrill Kelly (0-1) elevated a fastball. Murakami drove it at 115.1 mph into the right-field higher deck, 432 ft away.
Murakami’s game-ending double lifted Japan over Mexico 6-5 in Monday night time’s semifinal and his third-inning homer off Nick Martinez put Japan forward in the 2021 gold medal sport.
Japan loaded the bases in the second on singles by Okamoto and Sosuke Genda, and a stroll to Yuhei Nakamura. Lars Nootbaar, the primary non-Japanese-born participant to seem for the Samurai Warriors, adopted with a run-scoring groundout off Aaron Loup for a 2-1 lead.
Okamoto boosted the lead in the fourth when he despatched a flat slider from Kyle Freeland over the wall in left-center.
Japan was outhit 9-5 as Imanaga mixed with six relievers to carry the US to 0 for 7 with runners in scoring place. The 29-year-old left-hander and Shosei Togo pitched two innings every, Hiroto Takahashi, Hiromi Itoh and Taisei Ota received three outs every, with Ota escaping two-on, no-outs hassle by retiring Trout on a flyout and getting Paul Goldschmidt to floor right into a double play.
Trout and Ohtani hugged behind the batting cage throughout pregame exercises, then held their nation’s flag whereas main their groups towards house plate in single file in the course of the introductions, Trout down the right-field line and Ohtani in left.
Several thousand followers had arrived hours early to observe Ohtani take batting apply and applauded when he hit a drive off the video board above the second deck in heart.
Trout hit .296 in the match with one homer, seven RBIs and 12 strikeouts.
Shohei Ohtani emerged from the bullpen and fanned Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the ultimate out in the matchup the entire baseball world needed to see, main Japan over the defending champion United States 3-2 Tuesday night time for its first World Baseball Classic title since 2009.
“Whether I got him out or he got a hit off me, I didn’t want to make any regrets. I wanted to make my best pitch,” Ohtani stated by way of an interpreter.
He did, after which some.
Trying to guard a razor-thing edge, with two outs and no one on base, Ohtani flashed 100 mph warmth in getting Trout to swing and miss at two fastballs. With the depend full, Trout waved at a pointy slider to finish the ninth inning.
“I think every baseball fan wanted to see that. I’ve been answering questions about it for the last month and a half,” Trout stated.
“Did you think it was going to end in any other way?” he stated.
Ohtani, the two-way star who has captivated followers throughout two continents, was voted MVP of the WBC and clutched the trophy in opposition to his chest.
Ohtani beat out an infield single in the seventh inning as a delegated hitter earlier than strolling down the left-field line to Japan’s bullpen to heat up for his third mound look of the match.
After strolling large league batting champion Jeff McNeil to start the ninth, Ohtani received Mookie Betts to floor right into a double play.
That introduced up Trout, the US captain and a three-time MVP.
“I saw him take a big deep breath to try and control his emotions,” Team USA supervisor Mark DeRosa stated. “I can’t even imagine being in that moment, the two best players on the planet locking horns as teammates in that spot.”
Ohtani wound up with a save. His solely different save got here in a Japan postseason playoff sport in 2016.
“He’s got nasty stuff,” Trout stated. “He threw me a good pitch at the end.”
Just not the ending DeRosa needed.
“I was hoping it was going to go our way with Mikey popping one against Ohtani,” he stated.
“The whole world got to see Ohtani come in, big spot, battling. It’s kind of how it was kind of scripted. I just wish it would have went different,” he stated.
He added: “But the baseball world won tonight.”
Ohtani batted .435 with one homer, 4 doubles, eight RBIs and 10 walks as Japan joined the Dominican Republic in 2013 to turn into the one unbeaten champions of baseball’s premier nationwide group match. Ohtani, the 2021 AL MVP was 2-0 with a save and a 1.86 ERA on the mound, putting out 11 in 9 2/3 innings.
“What he’s doing in the game is what probably 90% of the guys in that clubhouse did in Little League or in youth tournaments, and he’s able to pull it off on the biggest stages,” DeRosa stated. “He is a unicorn to the sport. I think other guys will try it, but I don’t think they’re going to do it to his level.”
Japan went 7-0 and outscored opponents 56-18, reaching the ultimate for the primary time since profitable the primary two WBCs in 2006 and 2009. No different nation has gained the title greater than as soon as.
Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto homered as Japan constructed a 3-2 lead.
Trea Turner put the US forward in the second together with his record-tying fifth house run of the match and Kyle Schwarber pulled the Americans inside a run when he went deep in the eighth off Yu Darvish.
It was the second straight main title for the Japanese, who beat the US 2-0 in Yokohama for the 2021 Olympic gold medal. Japan used prime gamers in that match whereas the US despatched launched main leaguers and prime prospects.
Turner put the US forward in the second inning with a drive to left in opposition to Shota Imanaga (1-0), tying South Korea’s Seung Yuop Lee in 2006 for essentially the most in a WBC. That lit up a sellout crowd of 36,098 – followers got wristbands with coloured lights that sparkled.
Murakami, at 23 already a two-time Central League MVP, tied the rating on the primary pitch of the underside half when Merrill Kelly (0-1) elevated a fastball. Murakami drove it at 115.1 mph into the right-field higher deck, 432 ft away.
Murakami’s game-ending double lifted Japan over Mexico 6-5 in Monday night time’s semifinal and his third-inning homer off Nick Martinez put Japan forward in the 2021 gold medal sport.
Japan loaded the bases in the second on singles by Okamoto and Sosuke Genda, and a stroll to Yuhei Nakamura. Lars Nootbaar, the primary non-Japanese-born participant to seem for the Samurai Warriors, adopted with a run-scoring groundout off Aaron Loup for a 2-1 lead.
Okamoto boosted the lead in the fourth when he despatched a flat slider from Kyle Freeland over the wall in left-center.
Japan was outhit 9-5 as Imanaga mixed with six relievers to carry the US to 0 for 7 with runners in scoring place. The 29-year-old left-hander and Shosei Togo pitched two innings every, Hiroto Takahashi, Hiromi Itoh and Taisei Ota received three outs every, with Ota escaping two-on, no-outs hassle by retiring Trout on a flyout and getting Paul Goldschmidt to floor right into a double play.
Trout and Ohtani hugged behind the batting cage throughout pregame exercises, then held their nation’s flag whereas main their groups towards house plate in single file in the course of the introductions, Trout down the right-field line and Ohtani in left.
Several thousand followers had arrived hours early to observe Ohtani take batting apply and applauded when he hit a drive off the video board above the second deck in heart.
Trout hit .296 in the match with one homer, seven RBIs and 12 strikeouts.
Shohei Ohtani emerged from the bullpen and fanned Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the ultimate out in the matchup the entire baseball world needed to see, main Japan over the defending champion United States 3-2 Tuesday night time for its first World Baseball Classic title since 2009.
“Whether I got him out or he got a hit off me, I didn’t want to make any regrets. I wanted to make my best pitch,” Ohtani stated by way of an interpreter.
He did, after which some.
Trying to guard a razor-thing edge, with two outs and no one on base, Ohtani flashed 100 mph warmth in getting Trout to swing and miss at two fastballs. With the depend full, Trout waved at a pointy slider to finish the ninth inning.
“I think every baseball fan wanted to see that. I’ve been answering questions about it for the last month and a half,” Trout stated.
“Did you think it was going to end in any other way?” he stated.
Ohtani, the two-way star who has captivated followers throughout two continents, was voted MVP of the WBC and clutched the trophy in opposition to his chest.
Ohtani beat out an infield single in the seventh inning as a delegated hitter earlier than strolling down the left-field line to Japan’s bullpen to heat up for his third mound look of the match.
After strolling large league batting champion Jeff McNeil to start the ninth, Ohtani received Mookie Betts to floor right into a double play.
That introduced up Trout, the US captain and a three-time MVP.
“I saw him take a big deep breath to try and control his emotions,” Team USA supervisor Mark DeRosa stated. “I can’t even imagine being in that moment, the two best players on the planet locking horns as teammates in that spot.”
Ohtani wound up with a save. His solely different save got here in a Japan postseason playoff sport in 2016.
“He’s got nasty stuff,” Trout stated. “He threw me a good pitch at the end.”
Just not the ending DeRosa needed.
“I was hoping it was going to go our way with Mikey popping one against Ohtani,” he stated.
“The whole world got to see Ohtani come in, big spot, battling. It’s kind of how it was kind of scripted. I just wish it would have went different,” he stated.
He added: “But the baseball world won tonight.”
Ohtani batted .435 with one homer, 4 doubles, eight RBIs and 10 walks as Japan joined the Dominican Republic in 2013 to turn into the one unbeaten champions of baseball’s premier nationwide group match. Ohtani, the 2021 AL MVP was 2-0 with a save and a 1.86 ERA on the mound, putting out 11 in 9 2/3 innings.
“What he’s doing in the game is what probably 90% of the guys in that clubhouse did in Little League or in youth tournaments, and he’s able to pull it off on the biggest stages,” DeRosa stated. “He is a unicorn to the sport. I think other guys will try it, but I don’t think they’re going to do it to his level.”
Japan went 7-0 and outscored opponents 56-18, reaching the ultimate for the primary time since profitable the primary two WBCs in 2006 and 2009. No different nation has gained the title greater than as soon as.
Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto homered as Japan constructed a 3-2 lead.
Trea Turner put the US forward in the second together with his record-tying fifth house run of the match and Kyle Schwarber pulled the Americans inside a run when he went deep in the eighth off Yu Darvish.
It was the second straight main title for the Japanese, who beat the US 2-0 in Yokohama for the 2021 Olympic gold medal. Japan used prime gamers in that match whereas the US despatched launched main leaguers and prime prospects.
Turner put the US forward in the second inning with a drive to left in opposition to Shota Imanaga (1-0), tying South Korea’s Seung Yuop Lee in 2006 for essentially the most in a WBC. That lit up a sellout crowd of 36,098 – followers got wristbands with coloured lights that sparkled.
Murakami, at 23 already a two-time Central League MVP, tied the rating on the primary pitch of the underside half when Merrill Kelly (0-1) elevated a fastball. Murakami drove it at 115.1 mph into the right-field higher deck, 432 ft away.
Murakami’s game-ending double lifted Japan over Mexico 6-5 in Monday night time’s semifinal and his third-inning homer off Nick Martinez put Japan forward in the 2021 gold medal sport.
Japan loaded the bases in the second on singles by Okamoto and Sosuke Genda, and a stroll to Yuhei Nakamura. Lars Nootbaar, the primary non-Japanese-born participant to seem for the Samurai Warriors, adopted with a run-scoring groundout off Aaron Loup for a 2-1 lead.
Okamoto boosted the lead in the fourth when he despatched a flat slider from Kyle Freeland over the wall in left-center.
Japan was outhit 9-5 as Imanaga mixed with six relievers to carry the US to 0 for 7 with runners in scoring place. The 29-year-old left-hander and Shosei Togo pitched two innings every, Hiroto Takahashi, Hiromi Itoh and Taisei Ota received three outs every, with Ota escaping two-on, no-outs hassle by retiring Trout on a flyout and getting Paul Goldschmidt to floor right into a double play.
Trout and Ohtani hugged behind the batting cage throughout pregame exercises, then held their nation’s flag whereas main their groups towards house plate in single file in the course of the introductions, Trout down the right-field line and Ohtani in left.
Several thousand followers had arrived hours early to observe Ohtani take batting apply and applauded when he hit a drive off the video board above the second deck in heart.
Trout hit .296 in the match with one homer, seven RBIs and 12 strikeouts.
Shohei Ohtani emerged from the bullpen and fanned Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the ultimate out in the matchup the entire baseball world needed to see, main Japan over the defending champion United States 3-2 Tuesday night time for its first World Baseball Classic title since 2009.
“Whether I got him out or he got a hit off me, I didn’t want to make any regrets. I wanted to make my best pitch,” Ohtani stated by way of an interpreter.
He did, after which some.
Trying to guard a razor-thing edge, with two outs and no one on base, Ohtani flashed 100 mph warmth in getting Trout to swing and miss at two fastballs. With the depend full, Trout waved at a pointy slider to finish the ninth inning.
“I think every baseball fan wanted to see that. I’ve been answering questions about it for the last month and a half,” Trout stated.
“Did you think it was going to end in any other way?” he stated.
Ohtani, the two-way star who has captivated followers throughout two continents, was voted MVP of the WBC and clutched the trophy in opposition to his chest.
Ohtani beat out an infield single in the seventh inning as a delegated hitter earlier than strolling down the left-field line to Japan’s bullpen to heat up for his third mound look of the match.
After strolling large league batting champion Jeff McNeil to start the ninth, Ohtani received Mookie Betts to floor right into a double play.
That introduced up Trout, the US captain and a three-time MVP.
“I saw him take a big deep breath to try and control his emotions,” Team USA supervisor Mark DeRosa stated. “I can’t even imagine being in that moment, the two best players on the planet locking horns as teammates in that spot.”
Ohtani wound up with a save. His solely different save got here in a Japan postseason playoff sport in 2016.
“He’s got nasty stuff,” Trout stated. “He threw me a good pitch at the end.”
Just not the ending DeRosa needed.
“I was hoping it was going to go our way with Mikey popping one against Ohtani,” he stated.
“The whole world got to see Ohtani come in, big spot, battling. It’s kind of how it was kind of scripted. I just wish it would have went different,” he stated.
He added: “But the baseball world won tonight.”
Ohtani batted .435 with one homer, 4 doubles, eight RBIs and 10 walks as Japan joined the Dominican Republic in 2013 to turn into the one unbeaten champions of baseball’s premier nationwide group match. Ohtani, the 2021 AL MVP was 2-0 with a save and a 1.86 ERA on the mound, putting out 11 in 9 2/3 innings.
“What he’s doing in the game is what probably 90% of the guys in that clubhouse did in Little League or in youth tournaments, and he’s able to pull it off on the biggest stages,” DeRosa stated. “He is a unicorn to the sport. I think other guys will try it, but I don’t think they’re going to do it to his level.”
Japan went 7-0 and outscored opponents 56-18, reaching the ultimate for the primary time since profitable the primary two WBCs in 2006 and 2009. No different nation has gained the title greater than as soon as.
Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto homered as Japan constructed a 3-2 lead.
Trea Turner put the US forward in the second together with his record-tying fifth house run of the match and Kyle Schwarber pulled the Americans inside a run when he went deep in the eighth off Yu Darvish.
It was the second straight main title for the Japanese, who beat the US 2-0 in Yokohama for the 2021 Olympic gold medal. Japan used prime gamers in that match whereas the US despatched launched main leaguers and prime prospects.
Turner put the US forward in the second inning with a drive to left in opposition to Shota Imanaga (1-0), tying South Korea’s Seung Yuop Lee in 2006 for essentially the most in a WBC. That lit up a sellout crowd of 36,098 – followers got wristbands with coloured lights that sparkled.
Murakami, at 23 already a two-time Central League MVP, tied the rating on the primary pitch of the underside half when Merrill Kelly (0-1) elevated a fastball. Murakami drove it at 115.1 mph into the right-field higher deck, 432 ft away.
Murakami’s game-ending double lifted Japan over Mexico 6-5 in Monday night time’s semifinal and his third-inning homer off Nick Martinez put Japan forward in the 2021 gold medal sport.
Japan loaded the bases in the second on singles by Okamoto and Sosuke Genda, and a stroll to Yuhei Nakamura. Lars Nootbaar, the primary non-Japanese-born participant to seem for the Samurai Warriors, adopted with a run-scoring groundout off Aaron Loup for a 2-1 lead.
Okamoto boosted the lead in the fourth when he despatched a flat slider from Kyle Freeland over the wall in left-center.
Japan was outhit 9-5 as Imanaga mixed with six relievers to carry the US to 0 for 7 with runners in scoring place. The 29-year-old left-hander and Shosei Togo pitched two innings every, Hiroto Takahashi, Hiromi Itoh and Taisei Ota received three outs every, with Ota escaping two-on, no-outs hassle by retiring Trout on a flyout and getting Paul Goldschmidt to floor right into a double play.
Trout and Ohtani hugged behind the batting cage throughout pregame exercises, then held their nation’s flag whereas main their groups towards house plate in single file in the course of the introductions, Trout down the right-field line and Ohtani in left.
Several thousand followers had arrived hours early to observe Ohtani take batting apply and applauded when he hit a drive off the video board above the second deck in heart.
Trout hit .296 in the match with one homer, seven RBIs and 12 strikeouts.
Shohei Ohtani emerged from the bullpen and fanned Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the ultimate out in the matchup the entire baseball world needed to see, main Japan over the defending champion United States 3-2 Tuesday night time for its first World Baseball Classic title since 2009.
“Whether I got him out or he got a hit off me, I didn’t want to make any regrets. I wanted to make my best pitch,” Ohtani stated by way of an interpreter.
He did, after which some.
Trying to guard a razor-thing edge, with two outs and no one on base, Ohtani flashed 100 mph warmth in getting Trout to swing and miss at two fastballs. With the depend full, Trout waved at a pointy slider to finish the ninth inning.
“I think every baseball fan wanted to see that. I’ve been answering questions about it for the last month and a half,” Trout stated.
“Did you think it was going to end in any other way?” he stated.
Ohtani, the two-way star who has captivated followers throughout two continents, was voted MVP of the WBC and clutched the trophy in opposition to his chest.
Ohtani beat out an infield single in the seventh inning as a delegated hitter earlier than strolling down the left-field line to Japan’s bullpen to heat up for his third mound look of the match.
After strolling large league batting champion Jeff McNeil to start the ninth, Ohtani received Mookie Betts to floor right into a double play.
That introduced up Trout, the US captain and a three-time MVP.
“I saw him take a big deep breath to try and control his emotions,” Team USA supervisor Mark DeRosa stated. “I can’t even imagine being in that moment, the two best players on the planet locking horns as teammates in that spot.”
Ohtani wound up with a save. His solely different save got here in a Japan postseason playoff sport in 2016.
“He’s got nasty stuff,” Trout stated. “He threw me a good pitch at the end.”
Just not the ending DeRosa needed.
“I was hoping it was going to go our way with Mikey popping one against Ohtani,” he stated.
“The whole world got to see Ohtani come in, big spot, battling. It’s kind of how it was kind of scripted. I just wish it would have went different,” he stated.
He added: “But the baseball world won tonight.”
Ohtani batted .435 with one homer, 4 doubles, eight RBIs and 10 walks as Japan joined the Dominican Republic in 2013 to turn into the one unbeaten champions of baseball’s premier nationwide group match. Ohtani, the 2021 AL MVP was 2-0 with a save and a 1.86 ERA on the mound, putting out 11 in 9 2/3 innings.
“What he’s doing in the game is what probably 90% of the guys in that clubhouse did in Little League or in youth tournaments, and he’s able to pull it off on the biggest stages,” DeRosa stated. “He is a unicorn to the sport. I think other guys will try it, but I don’t think they’re going to do it to his level.”
Japan went 7-0 and outscored opponents 56-18, reaching the ultimate for the primary time since profitable the primary two WBCs in 2006 and 2009. No different nation has gained the title greater than as soon as.
Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto homered as Japan constructed a 3-2 lead.
Trea Turner put the US forward in the second together with his record-tying fifth house run of the match and Kyle Schwarber pulled the Americans inside a run when he went deep in the eighth off Yu Darvish.
It was the second straight main title for the Japanese, who beat the US 2-0 in Yokohama for the 2021 Olympic gold medal. Japan used prime gamers in that match whereas the US despatched launched main leaguers and prime prospects.
Turner put the US forward in the second inning with a drive to left in opposition to Shota Imanaga (1-0), tying South Korea’s Seung Yuop Lee in 2006 for essentially the most in a WBC. That lit up a sellout crowd of 36,098 – followers got wristbands with coloured lights that sparkled.
Murakami, at 23 already a two-time Central League MVP, tied the rating on the primary pitch of the underside half when Merrill Kelly (0-1) elevated a fastball. Murakami drove it at 115.1 mph into the right-field higher deck, 432 ft away.
Murakami’s game-ending double lifted Japan over Mexico 6-5 in Monday night time’s semifinal and his third-inning homer off Nick Martinez put Japan forward in the 2021 gold medal sport.
Japan loaded the bases in the second on singles by Okamoto and Sosuke Genda, and a stroll to Yuhei Nakamura. Lars Nootbaar, the primary non-Japanese-born participant to seem for the Samurai Warriors, adopted with a run-scoring groundout off Aaron Loup for a 2-1 lead.
Okamoto boosted the lead in the fourth when he despatched a flat slider from Kyle Freeland over the wall in left-center.
Japan was outhit 9-5 as Imanaga mixed with six relievers to carry the US to 0 for 7 with runners in scoring place. The 29-year-old left-hander and Shosei Togo pitched two innings every, Hiroto Takahashi, Hiromi Itoh and Taisei Ota received three outs every, with Ota escaping two-on, no-outs hassle by retiring Trout on a flyout and getting Paul Goldschmidt to floor right into a double play.
Trout and Ohtani hugged behind the batting cage throughout pregame exercises, then held their nation’s flag whereas main their groups towards house plate in single file in the course of the introductions, Trout down the right-field line and Ohtani in left.
Several thousand followers had arrived hours early to observe Ohtani take batting apply and applauded when he hit a drive off the video board above the second deck in heart.
Trout hit .296 in the match with one homer, seven RBIs and 12 strikeouts.
Shohei Ohtani emerged from the bullpen and fanned Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the ultimate out in the matchup the entire baseball world needed to see, main Japan over the defending champion United States 3-2 Tuesday night time for its first World Baseball Classic title since 2009.
“Whether I got him out or he got a hit off me, I didn’t want to make any regrets. I wanted to make my best pitch,” Ohtani stated by way of an interpreter.
He did, after which some.
Trying to guard a razor-thing edge, with two outs and no one on base, Ohtani flashed 100 mph warmth in getting Trout to swing and miss at two fastballs. With the depend full, Trout waved at a pointy slider to finish the ninth inning.
“I think every baseball fan wanted to see that. I’ve been answering questions about it for the last month and a half,” Trout stated.
“Did you think it was going to end in any other way?” he stated.
Ohtani, the two-way star who has captivated followers throughout two continents, was voted MVP of the WBC and clutched the trophy in opposition to his chest.
Ohtani beat out an infield single in the seventh inning as a delegated hitter earlier than strolling down the left-field line to Japan’s bullpen to heat up for his third mound look of the match.
After strolling large league batting champion Jeff McNeil to start the ninth, Ohtani received Mookie Betts to floor right into a double play.
That introduced up Trout, the US captain and a three-time MVP.
“I saw him take a big deep breath to try and control his emotions,” Team USA supervisor Mark DeRosa stated. “I can’t even imagine being in that moment, the two best players on the planet locking horns as teammates in that spot.”
Ohtani wound up with a save. His solely different save got here in a Japan postseason playoff sport in 2016.
“He’s got nasty stuff,” Trout stated. “He threw me a good pitch at the end.”
Just not the ending DeRosa needed.
“I was hoping it was going to go our way with Mikey popping one against Ohtani,” he stated.
“The whole world got to see Ohtani come in, big spot, battling. It’s kind of how it was kind of scripted. I just wish it would have went different,” he stated.
He added: “But the baseball world won tonight.”
Ohtani batted .435 with one homer, 4 doubles, eight RBIs and 10 walks as Japan joined the Dominican Republic in 2013 to turn into the one unbeaten champions of baseball’s premier nationwide group match. Ohtani, the 2021 AL MVP was 2-0 with a save and a 1.86 ERA on the mound, putting out 11 in 9 2/3 innings.
“What he’s doing in the game is what probably 90% of the guys in that clubhouse did in Little League or in youth tournaments, and he’s able to pull it off on the biggest stages,” DeRosa stated. “He is a unicorn to the sport. I think other guys will try it, but I don’t think they’re going to do it to his level.”
Japan went 7-0 and outscored opponents 56-18, reaching the ultimate for the primary time since profitable the primary two WBCs in 2006 and 2009. No different nation has gained the title greater than as soon as.
Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto homered as Japan constructed a 3-2 lead.
Trea Turner put the US forward in the second together with his record-tying fifth house run of the match and Kyle Schwarber pulled the Americans inside a run when he went deep in the eighth off Yu Darvish.
It was the second straight main title for the Japanese, who beat the US 2-0 in Yokohama for the 2021 Olympic gold medal. Japan used prime gamers in that match whereas the US despatched launched main leaguers and prime prospects.
Turner put the US forward in the second inning with a drive to left in opposition to Shota Imanaga (1-0), tying South Korea’s Seung Yuop Lee in 2006 for essentially the most in a WBC. That lit up a sellout crowd of 36,098 – followers got wristbands with coloured lights that sparkled.
Murakami, at 23 already a two-time Central League MVP, tied the rating on the primary pitch of the underside half when Merrill Kelly (0-1) elevated a fastball. Murakami drove it at 115.1 mph into the right-field higher deck, 432 ft away.
Murakami’s game-ending double lifted Japan over Mexico 6-5 in Monday night time’s semifinal and his third-inning homer off Nick Martinez put Japan forward in the 2021 gold medal sport.
Japan loaded the bases in the second on singles by Okamoto and Sosuke Genda, and a stroll to Yuhei Nakamura. Lars Nootbaar, the primary non-Japanese-born participant to seem for the Samurai Warriors, adopted with a run-scoring groundout off Aaron Loup for a 2-1 lead.
Okamoto boosted the lead in the fourth when he despatched a flat slider from Kyle Freeland over the wall in left-center.
Japan was outhit 9-5 as Imanaga mixed with six relievers to carry the US to 0 for 7 with runners in scoring place. The 29-year-old left-hander and Shosei Togo pitched two innings every, Hiroto Takahashi, Hiromi Itoh and Taisei Ota received three outs every, with Ota escaping two-on, no-outs hassle by retiring Trout on a flyout and getting Paul Goldschmidt to floor right into a double play.
Trout and Ohtani hugged behind the batting cage throughout pregame exercises, then held their nation’s flag whereas main their groups towards house plate in single file in the course of the introductions, Trout down the right-field line and Ohtani in left.
Several thousand followers had arrived hours early to observe Ohtani take batting apply and applauded when he hit a drive off the video board above the second deck in heart.
Trout hit .296 in the match with one homer, seven RBIs and 12 strikeouts.
Shohei Ohtani emerged from the bullpen and fanned Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the ultimate out in the matchup the entire baseball world needed to see, main Japan over the defending champion United States 3-2 Tuesday night time for its first World Baseball Classic title since 2009.
“Whether I got him out or he got a hit off me, I didn’t want to make any regrets. I wanted to make my best pitch,” Ohtani stated by way of an interpreter.
He did, after which some.
Trying to guard a razor-thing edge, with two outs and no one on base, Ohtani flashed 100 mph warmth in getting Trout to swing and miss at two fastballs. With the depend full, Trout waved at a pointy slider to finish the ninth inning.
“I think every baseball fan wanted to see that. I’ve been answering questions about it for the last month and a half,” Trout stated.
“Did you think it was going to end in any other way?” he stated.
Ohtani, the two-way star who has captivated followers throughout two continents, was voted MVP of the WBC and clutched the trophy in opposition to his chest.
Ohtani beat out an infield single in the seventh inning as a delegated hitter earlier than strolling down the left-field line to Japan’s bullpen to heat up for his third mound look of the match.
After strolling large league batting champion Jeff McNeil to start the ninth, Ohtani received Mookie Betts to floor right into a double play.
That introduced up Trout, the US captain and a three-time MVP.
“I saw him take a big deep breath to try and control his emotions,” Team USA supervisor Mark DeRosa stated. “I can’t even imagine being in that moment, the two best players on the planet locking horns as teammates in that spot.”
Ohtani wound up with a save. His solely different save got here in a Japan postseason playoff sport in 2016.
“He’s got nasty stuff,” Trout stated. “He threw me a good pitch at the end.”
Just not the ending DeRosa needed.
“I was hoping it was going to go our way with Mikey popping one against Ohtani,” he stated.
“The whole world got to see Ohtani come in, big spot, battling. It’s kind of how it was kind of scripted. I just wish it would have went different,” he stated.
He added: “But the baseball world won tonight.”
Ohtani batted .435 with one homer, 4 doubles, eight RBIs and 10 walks as Japan joined the Dominican Republic in 2013 to turn into the one unbeaten champions of baseball’s premier nationwide group match. Ohtani, the 2021 AL MVP was 2-0 with a save and a 1.86 ERA on the mound, putting out 11 in 9 2/3 innings.
“What he’s doing in the game is what probably 90% of the guys in that clubhouse did in Little League or in youth tournaments, and he’s able to pull it off on the biggest stages,” DeRosa stated. “He is a unicorn to the sport. I think other guys will try it, but I don’t think they’re going to do it to his level.”
Japan went 7-0 and outscored opponents 56-18, reaching the ultimate for the primary time since profitable the primary two WBCs in 2006 and 2009. No different nation has gained the title greater than as soon as.
Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto homered as Japan constructed a 3-2 lead.
Trea Turner put the US forward in the second together with his record-tying fifth house run of the match and Kyle Schwarber pulled the Americans inside a run when he went deep in the eighth off Yu Darvish.
It was the second straight main title for the Japanese, who beat the US 2-0 in Yokohama for the 2021 Olympic gold medal. Japan used prime gamers in that match whereas the US despatched launched main leaguers and prime prospects.
Turner put the US forward in the second inning with a drive to left in opposition to Shota Imanaga (1-0), tying South Korea’s Seung Yuop Lee in 2006 for essentially the most in a WBC. That lit up a sellout crowd of 36,098 – followers got wristbands with coloured lights that sparkled.
Murakami, at 23 already a two-time Central League MVP, tied the rating on the primary pitch of the underside half when Merrill Kelly (0-1) elevated a fastball. Murakami drove it at 115.1 mph into the right-field higher deck, 432 ft away.
Murakami’s game-ending double lifted Japan over Mexico 6-5 in Monday night time’s semifinal and his third-inning homer off Nick Martinez put Japan forward in the 2021 gold medal sport.
Japan loaded the bases in the second on singles by Okamoto and Sosuke Genda, and a stroll to Yuhei Nakamura. Lars Nootbaar, the primary non-Japanese-born participant to seem for the Samurai Warriors, adopted with a run-scoring groundout off Aaron Loup for a 2-1 lead.
Okamoto boosted the lead in the fourth when he despatched a flat slider from Kyle Freeland over the wall in left-center.
Japan was outhit 9-5 as Imanaga mixed with six relievers to carry the US to 0 for 7 with runners in scoring place. The 29-year-old left-hander and Shosei Togo pitched two innings every, Hiroto Takahashi, Hiromi Itoh and Taisei Ota received three outs every, with Ota escaping two-on, no-outs hassle by retiring Trout on a flyout and getting Paul Goldschmidt to floor right into a double play.
Trout and Ohtani hugged behind the batting cage throughout pregame exercises, then held their nation’s flag whereas main their groups towards house plate in single file in the course of the introductions, Trout down the right-field line and Ohtani in left.
Several thousand followers had arrived hours early to observe Ohtani take batting apply and applauded when he hit a drive off the video board above the second deck in heart.
Trout hit .296 in the match with one homer, seven RBIs and 12 strikeouts.
Shohei Ohtani emerged from the bullpen and fanned Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the ultimate out in the matchup the entire baseball world needed to see, main Japan over the defending champion United States 3-2 Tuesday night time for its first World Baseball Classic title since 2009.
“Whether I got him out or he got a hit off me, I didn’t want to make any regrets. I wanted to make my best pitch,” Ohtani stated by way of an interpreter.
He did, after which some.
Trying to guard a razor-thing edge, with two outs and no one on base, Ohtani flashed 100 mph warmth in getting Trout to swing and miss at two fastballs. With the depend full, Trout waved at a pointy slider to finish the ninth inning.
“I think every baseball fan wanted to see that. I’ve been answering questions about it for the last month and a half,” Trout stated.
“Did you think it was going to end in any other way?” he stated.
Ohtani, the two-way star who has captivated followers throughout two continents, was voted MVP of the WBC and clutched the trophy in opposition to his chest.
Ohtani beat out an infield single in the seventh inning as a delegated hitter earlier than strolling down the left-field line to Japan’s bullpen to heat up for his third mound look of the match.
After strolling large league batting champion Jeff McNeil to start the ninth, Ohtani received Mookie Betts to floor right into a double play.
That introduced up Trout, the US captain and a three-time MVP.
“I saw him take a big deep breath to try and control his emotions,” Team USA supervisor Mark DeRosa stated. “I can’t even imagine being in that moment, the two best players on the planet locking horns as teammates in that spot.”
Ohtani wound up with a save. His solely different save got here in a Japan postseason playoff sport in 2016.
“He’s got nasty stuff,” Trout stated. “He threw me a good pitch at the end.”
Just not the ending DeRosa needed.
“I was hoping it was going to go our way with Mikey popping one against Ohtani,” he stated.
“The whole world got to see Ohtani come in, big spot, battling. It’s kind of how it was kind of scripted. I just wish it would have went different,” he stated.
He added: “But the baseball world won tonight.”
Ohtani batted .435 with one homer, 4 doubles, eight RBIs and 10 walks as Japan joined the Dominican Republic in 2013 to turn into the one unbeaten champions of baseball’s premier nationwide group match. Ohtani, the 2021 AL MVP was 2-0 with a save and a 1.86 ERA on the mound, putting out 11 in 9 2/3 innings.
“What he’s doing in the game is what probably 90% of the guys in that clubhouse did in Little League or in youth tournaments, and he’s able to pull it off on the biggest stages,” DeRosa stated. “He is a unicorn to the sport. I think other guys will try it, but I don’t think they’re going to do it to his level.”
Japan went 7-0 and outscored opponents 56-18, reaching the ultimate for the primary time since profitable the primary two WBCs in 2006 and 2009. No different nation has gained the title greater than as soon as.
Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto homered as Japan constructed a 3-2 lead.
Trea Turner put the US forward in the second together with his record-tying fifth house run of the match and Kyle Schwarber pulled the Americans inside a run when he went deep in the eighth off Yu Darvish.
It was the second straight main title for the Japanese, who beat the US 2-0 in Yokohama for the 2021 Olympic gold medal. Japan used prime gamers in that match whereas the US despatched launched main leaguers and prime prospects.
Turner put the US forward in the second inning with a drive to left in opposition to Shota Imanaga (1-0), tying South Korea’s Seung Yuop Lee in 2006 for essentially the most in a WBC. That lit up a sellout crowd of 36,098 – followers got wristbands with coloured lights that sparkled.
Murakami, at 23 already a two-time Central League MVP, tied the rating on the primary pitch of the underside half when Merrill Kelly (0-1) elevated a fastball. Murakami drove it at 115.1 mph into the right-field higher deck, 432 ft away.
Murakami’s game-ending double lifted Japan over Mexico 6-5 in Monday night time’s semifinal and his third-inning homer off Nick Martinez put Japan forward in the 2021 gold medal sport.
Japan loaded the bases in the second on singles by Okamoto and Sosuke Genda, and a stroll to Yuhei Nakamura. Lars Nootbaar, the primary non-Japanese-born participant to seem for the Samurai Warriors, adopted with a run-scoring groundout off Aaron Loup for a 2-1 lead.
Okamoto boosted the lead in the fourth when he despatched a flat slider from Kyle Freeland over the wall in left-center.
Japan was outhit 9-5 as Imanaga mixed with six relievers to carry the US to 0 for 7 with runners in scoring place. The 29-year-old left-hander and Shosei Togo pitched two innings every, Hiroto Takahashi, Hiromi Itoh and Taisei Ota received three outs every, with Ota escaping two-on, no-outs hassle by retiring Trout on a flyout and getting Paul Goldschmidt to floor right into a double play.
Trout and Ohtani hugged behind the batting cage throughout pregame exercises, then held their nation’s flag whereas main their groups towards house plate in single file in the course of the introductions, Trout down the right-field line and Ohtani in left.
Several thousand followers had arrived hours early to observe Ohtani take batting apply and applauded when he hit a drive off the video board above the second deck in heart.
Trout hit .296 in the match with one homer, seven RBIs and 12 strikeouts.
Shohei Ohtani emerged from the bullpen and fanned Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the ultimate out in the matchup the entire baseball world needed to see, main Japan over the defending champion United States 3-2 Tuesday night time for its first World Baseball Classic title since 2009.
“Whether I got him out or he got a hit off me, I didn’t want to make any regrets. I wanted to make my best pitch,” Ohtani stated by way of an interpreter.
He did, after which some.
Trying to guard a razor-thing edge, with two outs and no one on base, Ohtani flashed 100 mph warmth in getting Trout to swing and miss at two fastballs. With the depend full, Trout waved at a pointy slider to finish the ninth inning.
“I think every baseball fan wanted to see that. I’ve been answering questions about it for the last month and a half,” Trout stated.
“Did you think it was going to end in any other way?” he stated.
Ohtani, the two-way star who has captivated followers throughout two continents, was voted MVP of the WBC and clutched the trophy in opposition to his chest.
Ohtani beat out an infield single in the seventh inning as a delegated hitter earlier than strolling down the left-field line to Japan’s bullpen to heat up for his third mound look of the match.
After strolling large league batting champion Jeff McNeil to start the ninth, Ohtani received Mookie Betts to floor right into a double play.
That introduced up Trout, the US captain and a three-time MVP.
“I saw him take a big deep breath to try and control his emotions,” Team USA supervisor Mark DeRosa stated. “I can’t even imagine being in that moment, the two best players on the planet locking horns as teammates in that spot.”
Ohtani wound up with a save. His solely different save got here in a Japan postseason playoff sport in 2016.
“He’s got nasty stuff,” Trout stated. “He threw me a good pitch at the end.”
Just not the ending DeRosa needed.
“I was hoping it was going to go our way with Mikey popping one against Ohtani,” he stated.
“The whole world got to see Ohtani come in, big spot, battling. It’s kind of how it was kind of scripted. I just wish it would have went different,” he stated.
He added: “But the baseball world won tonight.”
Ohtani batted .435 with one homer, 4 doubles, eight RBIs and 10 walks as Japan joined the Dominican Republic in 2013 to turn into the one unbeaten champions of baseball’s premier nationwide group match. Ohtani, the 2021 AL MVP was 2-0 with a save and a 1.86 ERA on the mound, putting out 11 in 9 2/3 innings.
“What he’s doing in the game is what probably 90% of the guys in that clubhouse did in Little League or in youth tournaments, and he’s able to pull it off on the biggest stages,” DeRosa stated. “He is a unicorn to the sport. I think other guys will try it, but I don’t think they’re going to do it to his level.”
Japan went 7-0 and outscored opponents 56-18, reaching the ultimate for the primary time since profitable the primary two WBCs in 2006 and 2009. No different nation has gained the title greater than as soon as.
Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto homered as Japan constructed a 3-2 lead.
Trea Turner put the US forward in the second together with his record-tying fifth house run of the match and Kyle Schwarber pulled the Americans inside a run when he went deep in the eighth off Yu Darvish.
It was the second straight main title for the Japanese, who beat the US 2-0 in Yokohama for the 2021 Olympic gold medal. Japan used prime gamers in that match whereas the US despatched launched main leaguers and prime prospects.
Turner put the US forward in the second inning with a drive to left in opposition to Shota Imanaga (1-0), tying South Korea’s Seung Yuop Lee in 2006 for essentially the most in a WBC. That lit up a sellout crowd of 36,098 – followers got wristbands with coloured lights that sparkled.
Murakami, at 23 already a two-time Central League MVP, tied the rating on the primary pitch of the underside half when Merrill Kelly (0-1) elevated a fastball. Murakami drove it at 115.1 mph into the right-field higher deck, 432 ft away.
Murakami’s game-ending double lifted Japan over Mexico 6-5 in Monday night time’s semifinal and his third-inning homer off Nick Martinez put Japan forward in the 2021 gold medal sport.
Japan loaded the bases in the second on singles by Okamoto and Sosuke Genda, and a stroll to Yuhei Nakamura. Lars Nootbaar, the primary non-Japanese-born participant to seem for the Samurai Warriors, adopted with a run-scoring groundout off Aaron Loup for a 2-1 lead.
Okamoto boosted the lead in the fourth when he despatched a flat slider from Kyle Freeland over the wall in left-center.
Japan was outhit 9-5 as Imanaga mixed with six relievers to carry the US to 0 for 7 with runners in scoring place. The 29-year-old left-hander and Shosei Togo pitched two innings every, Hiroto Takahashi, Hiromi Itoh and Taisei Ota received three outs every, with Ota escaping two-on, no-outs hassle by retiring Trout on a flyout and getting Paul Goldschmidt to floor right into a double play.
Trout and Ohtani hugged behind the batting cage throughout pregame exercises, then held their nation’s flag whereas main their groups towards house plate in single file in the course of the introductions, Trout down the right-field line and Ohtani in left.
Several thousand followers had arrived hours early to observe Ohtani take batting apply and applauded when he hit a drive off the video board above the second deck in heart.
Trout hit .296 in the match with one homer, seven RBIs and 12 strikeouts.
Shohei Ohtani emerged from the bullpen and fanned Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the ultimate out in the matchup the entire baseball world needed to see, main Japan over the defending champion United States 3-2 Tuesday night time for its first World Baseball Classic title since 2009.
“Whether I got him out or he got a hit off me, I didn’t want to make any regrets. I wanted to make my best pitch,” Ohtani stated by way of an interpreter.
He did, after which some.
Trying to guard a razor-thing edge, with two outs and no one on base, Ohtani flashed 100 mph warmth in getting Trout to swing and miss at two fastballs. With the depend full, Trout waved at a pointy slider to finish the ninth inning.
“I think every baseball fan wanted to see that. I’ve been answering questions about it for the last month and a half,” Trout stated.
“Did you think it was going to end in any other way?” he stated.
Ohtani, the two-way star who has captivated followers throughout two continents, was voted MVP of the WBC and clutched the trophy in opposition to his chest.
Ohtani beat out an infield single in the seventh inning as a delegated hitter earlier than strolling down the left-field line to Japan’s bullpen to heat up for his third mound look of the match.
After strolling large league batting champion Jeff McNeil to start the ninth, Ohtani received Mookie Betts to floor right into a double play.
That introduced up Trout, the US captain and a three-time MVP.
“I saw him take a big deep breath to try and control his emotions,” Team USA supervisor Mark DeRosa stated. “I can’t even imagine being in that moment, the two best players on the planet locking horns as teammates in that spot.”
Ohtani wound up with a save. His solely different save got here in a Japan postseason playoff sport in 2016.
“He’s got nasty stuff,” Trout stated. “He threw me a good pitch at the end.”
Just not the ending DeRosa needed.
“I was hoping it was going to go our way with Mikey popping one against Ohtani,” he stated.
“The whole world got to see Ohtani come in, big spot, battling. It’s kind of how it was kind of scripted. I just wish it would have went different,” he stated.
He added: “But the baseball world won tonight.”
Ohtani batted .435 with one homer, 4 doubles, eight RBIs and 10 walks as Japan joined the Dominican Republic in 2013 to turn into the one unbeaten champions of baseball’s premier nationwide group match. Ohtani, the 2021 AL MVP was 2-0 with a save and a 1.86 ERA on the mound, putting out 11 in 9 2/3 innings.
“What he’s doing in the game is what probably 90% of the guys in that clubhouse did in Little League or in youth tournaments, and he’s able to pull it off on the biggest stages,” DeRosa stated. “He is a unicorn to the sport. I think other guys will try it, but I don’t think they’re going to do it to his level.”
Japan went 7-0 and outscored opponents 56-18, reaching the ultimate for the primary time since profitable the primary two WBCs in 2006 and 2009. No different nation has gained the title greater than as soon as.
Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto homered as Japan constructed a 3-2 lead.
Trea Turner put the US forward in the second together with his record-tying fifth house run of the match and Kyle Schwarber pulled the Americans inside a run when he went deep in the eighth off Yu Darvish.
It was the second straight main title for the Japanese, who beat the US 2-0 in Yokohama for the 2021 Olympic gold medal. Japan used prime gamers in that match whereas the US despatched launched main leaguers and prime prospects.
Turner put the US forward in the second inning with a drive to left in opposition to Shota Imanaga (1-0), tying South Korea’s Seung Yuop Lee in 2006 for essentially the most in a WBC. That lit up a sellout crowd of 36,098 – followers got wristbands with coloured lights that sparkled.
Murakami, at 23 already a two-time Central League MVP, tied the rating on the primary pitch of the underside half when Merrill Kelly (0-1) elevated a fastball. Murakami drove it at 115.1 mph into the right-field higher deck, 432 ft away.
Murakami’s game-ending double lifted Japan over Mexico 6-5 in Monday night time’s semifinal and his third-inning homer off Nick Martinez put Japan forward in the 2021 gold medal sport.
Japan loaded the bases in the second on singles by Okamoto and Sosuke Genda, and a stroll to Yuhei Nakamura. Lars Nootbaar, the primary non-Japanese-born participant to seem for the Samurai Warriors, adopted with a run-scoring groundout off Aaron Loup for a 2-1 lead.
Okamoto boosted the lead in the fourth when he despatched a flat slider from Kyle Freeland over the wall in left-center.
Japan was outhit 9-5 as Imanaga mixed with six relievers to carry the US to 0 for 7 with runners in scoring place. The 29-year-old left-hander and Shosei Togo pitched two innings every, Hiroto Takahashi, Hiromi Itoh and Taisei Ota received three outs every, with Ota escaping two-on, no-outs hassle by retiring Trout on a flyout and getting Paul Goldschmidt to floor right into a double play.
Trout and Ohtani hugged behind the batting cage throughout pregame exercises, then held their nation’s flag whereas main their groups towards house plate in single file in the course of the introductions, Trout down the right-field line and Ohtani in left.
Several thousand followers had arrived hours early to observe Ohtani take batting apply and applauded when he hit a drive off the video board above the second deck in heart.
Trout hit .296 in the match with one homer, seven RBIs and 12 strikeouts.
Shohei Ohtani emerged from the bullpen and fanned Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the ultimate out in the matchup the entire baseball world needed to see, main Japan over the defending champion United States 3-2 Tuesday night time for its first World Baseball Classic title since 2009.
“Whether I got him out or he got a hit off me, I didn’t want to make any regrets. I wanted to make my best pitch,” Ohtani stated by way of an interpreter.
He did, after which some.
Trying to guard a razor-thing edge, with two outs and no one on base, Ohtani flashed 100 mph warmth in getting Trout to swing and miss at two fastballs. With the depend full, Trout waved at a pointy slider to finish the ninth inning.
“I think every baseball fan wanted to see that. I’ve been answering questions about it for the last month and a half,” Trout stated.
“Did you think it was going to end in any other way?” he stated.
Ohtani, the two-way star who has captivated followers throughout two continents, was voted MVP of the WBC and clutched the trophy in opposition to his chest.
Ohtani beat out an infield single in the seventh inning as a delegated hitter earlier than strolling down the left-field line to Japan’s bullpen to heat up for his third mound look of the match.
After strolling large league batting champion Jeff McNeil to start the ninth, Ohtani received Mookie Betts to floor right into a double play.
That introduced up Trout, the US captain and a three-time MVP.
“I saw him take a big deep breath to try and control his emotions,” Team USA supervisor Mark DeRosa stated. “I can’t even imagine being in that moment, the two best players on the planet locking horns as teammates in that spot.”
Ohtani wound up with a save. His solely different save got here in a Japan postseason playoff sport in 2016.
“He’s got nasty stuff,” Trout stated. “He threw me a good pitch at the end.”
Just not the ending DeRosa needed.
“I was hoping it was going to go our way with Mikey popping one against Ohtani,” he stated.
“The whole world got to see Ohtani come in, big spot, battling. It’s kind of how it was kind of scripted. I just wish it would have went different,” he stated.
He added: “But the baseball world won tonight.”
Ohtani batted .435 with one homer, 4 doubles, eight RBIs and 10 walks as Japan joined the Dominican Republic in 2013 to turn into the one unbeaten champions of baseball’s premier nationwide group match. Ohtani, the 2021 AL MVP was 2-0 with a save and a 1.86 ERA on the mound, putting out 11 in 9 2/3 innings.
“What he’s doing in the game is what probably 90% of the guys in that clubhouse did in Little League or in youth tournaments, and he’s able to pull it off on the biggest stages,” DeRosa stated. “He is a unicorn to the sport. I think other guys will try it, but I don’t think they’re going to do it to his level.”
Japan went 7-0 and outscored opponents 56-18, reaching the ultimate for the primary time since profitable the primary two WBCs in 2006 and 2009. No different nation has gained the title greater than as soon as.
Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto homered as Japan constructed a 3-2 lead.
Trea Turner put the US forward in the second together with his record-tying fifth house run of the match and Kyle Schwarber pulled the Americans inside a run when he went deep in the eighth off Yu Darvish.
It was the second straight main title for the Japanese, who beat the US 2-0 in Yokohama for the 2021 Olympic gold medal. Japan used prime gamers in that match whereas the US despatched launched main leaguers and prime prospects.
Turner put the US forward in the second inning with a drive to left in opposition to Shota Imanaga (1-0), tying South Korea’s Seung Yuop Lee in 2006 for essentially the most in a WBC. That lit up a sellout crowd of 36,098 – followers got wristbands with coloured lights that sparkled.
Murakami, at 23 already a two-time Central League MVP, tied the rating on the primary pitch of the underside half when Merrill Kelly (0-1) elevated a fastball. Murakami drove it at 115.1 mph into the right-field higher deck, 432 ft away.
Murakami’s game-ending double lifted Japan over Mexico 6-5 in Monday night time’s semifinal and his third-inning homer off Nick Martinez put Japan forward in the 2021 gold medal sport.
Japan loaded the bases in the second on singles by Okamoto and Sosuke Genda, and a stroll to Yuhei Nakamura. Lars Nootbaar, the primary non-Japanese-born participant to seem for the Samurai Warriors, adopted with a run-scoring groundout off Aaron Loup for a 2-1 lead.
Okamoto boosted the lead in the fourth when he despatched a flat slider from Kyle Freeland over the wall in left-center.
Japan was outhit 9-5 as Imanaga mixed with six relievers to carry the US to 0 for 7 with runners in scoring place. The 29-year-old left-hander and Shosei Togo pitched two innings every, Hiroto Takahashi, Hiromi Itoh and Taisei Ota received three outs every, with Ota escaping two-on, no-outs hassle by retiring Trout on a flyout and getting Paul Goldschmidt to floor right into a double play.
Trout and Ohtani hugged behind the batting cage throughout pregame exercises, then held their nation’s flag whereas main their groups towards house plate in single file in the course of the introductions, Trout down the right-field line and Ohtani in left.
Several thousand followers had arrived hours early to observe Ohtani take batting apply and applauded when he hit a drive off the video board above the second deck in heart.
Trout hit .296 in the match with one homer, seven RBIs and 12 strikeouts.
Shohei Ohtani emerged from the bullpen and fanned Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the ultimate out in the matchup the entire baseball world needed to see, main Japan over the defending champion United States 3-2 Tuesday night time for its first World Baseball Classic title since 2009.
“Whether I got him out or he got a hit off me, I didn’t want to make any regrets. I wanted to make my best pitch,” Ohtani stated by way of an interpreter.
He did, after which some.
Trying to guard a razor-thing edge, with two outs and no one on base, Ohtani flashed 100 mph warmth in getting Trout to swing and miss at two fastballs. With the depend full, Trout waved at a pointy slider to finish the ninth inning.
“I think every baseball fan wanted to see that. I’ve been answering questions about it for the last month and a half,” Trout stated.
“Did you think it was going to end in any other way?” he stated.
Ohtani, the two-way star who has captivated followers throughout two continents, was voted MVP of the WBC and clutched the trophy in opposition to his chest.
Ohtani beat out an infield single in the seventh inning as a delegated hitter earlier than strolling down the left-field line to Japan’s bullpen to heat up for his third mound look of the match.
After strolling large league batting champion Jeff McNeil to start the ninth, Ohtani received Mookie Betts to floor right into a double play.
That introduced up Trout, the US captain and a three-time MVP.
“I saw him take a big deep breath to try and control his emotions,” Team USA supervisor Mark DeRosa stated. “I can’t even imagine being in that moment, the two best players on the planet locking horns as teammates in that spot.”
Ohtani wound up with a save. His solely different save got here in a Japan postseason playoff sport in 2016.
“He’s got nasty stuff,” Trout stated. “He threw me a good pitch at the end.”
Just not the ending DeRosa needed.
“I was hoping it was going to go our way with Mikey popping one against Ohtani,” he stated.
“The whole world got to see Ohtani come in, big spot, battling. It’s kind of how it was kind of scripted. I just wish it would have went different,” he stated.
He added: “But the baseball world won tonight.”
Ohtani batted .435 with one homer, 4 doubles, eight RBIs and 10 walks as Japan joined the Dominican Republic in 2013 to turn into the one unbeaten champions of baseball’s premier nationwide group match. Ohtani, the 2021 AL MVP was 2-0 with a save and a 1.86 ERA on the mound, putting out 11 in 9 2/3 innings.
“What he’s doing in the game is what probably 90% of the guys in that clubhouse did in Little League or in youth tournaments, and he’s able to pull it off on the biggest stages,” DeRosa stated. “He is a unicorn to the sport. I think other guys will try it, but I don’t think they’re going to do it to his level.”
Japan went 7-0 and outscored opponents 56-18, reaching the ultimate for the primary time since profitable the primary two WBCs in 2006 and 2009. No different nation has gained the title greater than as soon as.
Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto homered as Japan constructed a 3-2 lead.
Trea Turner put the US forward in the second together with his record-tying fifth house run of the match and Kyle Schwarber pulled the Americans inside a run when he went deep in the eighth off Yu Darvish.
It was the second straight main title for the Japanese, who beat the US 2-0 in Yokohama for the 2021 Olympic gold medal. Japan used prime gamers in that match whereas the US despatched launched main leaguers and prime prospects.
Turner put the US forward in the second inning with a drive to left in opposition to Shota Imanaga (1-0), tying South Korea’s Seung Yuop Lee in 2006 for essentially the most in a WBC. That lit up a sellout crowd of 36,098 – followers got wristbands with coloured lights that sparkled.
Murakami, at 23 already a two-time Central League MVP, tied the rating on the primary pitch of the underside half when Merrill Kelly (0-1) elevated a fastball. Murakami drove it at 115.1 mph into the right-field higher deck, 432 ft away.
Murakami’s game-ending double lifted Japan over Mexico 6-5 in Monday night time’s semifinal and his third-inning homer off Nick Martinez put Japan forward in the 2021 gold medal sport.
Japan loaded the bases in the second on singles by Okamoto and Sosuke Genda, and a stroll to Yuhei Nakamura. Lars Nootbaar, the primary non-Japanese-born participant to seem for the Samurai Warriors, adopted with a run-scoring groundout off Aaron Loup for a 2-1 lead.
Okamoto boosted the lead in the fourth when he despatched a flat slider from Kyle Freeland over the wall in left-center.
Japan was outhit 9-5 as Imanaga mixed with six relievers to carry the US to 0 for 7 with runners in scoring place. The 29-year-old left-hander and Shosei Togo pitched two innings every, Hiroto Takahashi, Hiromi Itoh and Taisei Ota received three outs every, with Ota escaping two-on, no-outs hassle by retiring Trout on a flyout and getting Paul Goldschmidt to floor right into a double play.
Trout and Ohtani hugged behind the batting cage throughout pregame exercises, then held their nation’s flag whereas main their groups towards house plate in single file in the course of the introductions, Trout down the right-field line and Ohtani in left.
Several thousand followers had arrived hours early to observe Ohtani take batting apply and applauded when he hit a drive off the video board above the second deck in heart.
Trout hit .296 in the match with one homer, seven RBIs and 12 strikeouts.
Shohei Ohtani emerged from the bullpen and fanned Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the ultimate out in the matchup the entire baseball world needed to see, main Japan over the defending champion United States 3-2 Tuesday night time for its first World Baseball Classic title since 2009.
“Whether I got him out or he got a hit off me, I didn’t want to make any regrets. I wanted to make my best pitch,” Ohtani stated by way of an interpreter.
He did, after which some.
Trying to guard a razor-thing edge, with two outs and no one on base, Ohtani flashed 100 mph warmth in getting Trout to swing and miss at two fastballs. With the depend full, Trout waved at a pointy slider to finish the ninth inning.
“I think every baseball fan wanted to see that. I’ve been answering questions about it for the last month and a half,” Trout stated.
“Did you think it was going to end in any other way?” he stated.
Ohtani, the two-way star who has captivated followers throughout two continents, was voted MVP of the WBC and clutched the trophy in opposition to his chest.
Ohtani beat out an infield single in the seventh inning as a delegated hitter earlier than strolling down the left-field line to Japan’s bullpen to heat up for his third mound look of the match.
After strolling large league batting champion Jeff McNeil to start the ninth, Ohtani received Mookie Betts to floor right into a double play.
That introduced up Trout, the US captain and a three-time MVP.
“I saw him take a big deep breath to try and control his emotions,” Team USA supervisor Mark DeRosa stated. “I can’t even imagine being in that moment, the two best players on the planet locking horns as teammates in that spot.”
Ohtani wound up with a save. His solely different save got here in a Japan postseason playoff sport in 2016.
“He’s got nasty stuff,” Trout stated. “He threw me a good pitch at the end.”
Just not the ending DeRosa needed.
“I was hoping it was going to go our way with Mikey popping one against Ohtani,” he stated.
“The whole world got to see Ohtani come in, big spot, battling. It’s kind of how it was kind of scripted. I just wish it would have went different,” he stated.
He added: “But the baseball world won tonight.”
Ohtani batted .435 with one homer, 4 doubles, eight RBIs and 10 walks as Japan joined the Dominican Republic in 2013 to turn into the one unbeaten champions of baseball’s premier nationwide group match. Ohtani, the 2021 AL MVP was 2-0 with a save and a 1.86 ERA on the mound, putting out 11 in 9 2/3 innings.
“What he’s doing in the game is what probably 90% of the guys in that clubhouse did in Little League or in youth tournaments, and he’s able to pull it off on the biggest stages,” DeRosa stated. “He is a unicorn to the sport. I think other guys will try it, but I don’t think they’re going to do it to his level.”
Japan went 7-0 and outscored opponents 56-18, reaching the ultimate for the primary time since profitable the primary two WBCs in 2006 and 2009. No different nation has gained the title greater than as soon as.
Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto homered as Japan constructed a 3-2 lead.
Trea Turner put the US forward in the second together with his record-tying fifth house run of the match and Kyle Schwarber pulled the Americans inside a run when he went deep in the eighth off Yu Darvish.
It was the second straight main title for the Japanese, who beat the US 2-0 in Yokohama for the 2021 Olympic gold medal. Japan used prime gamers in that match whereas the US despatched launched main leaguers and prime prospects.
Turner put the US forward in the second inning with a drive to left in opposition to Shota Imanaga (1-0), tying South Korea’s Seung Yuop Lee in 2006 for essentially the most in a WBC. That lit up a sellout crowd of 36,098 – followers got wristbands with coloured lights that sparkled.
Murakami, at 23 already a two-time Central League MVP, tied the rating on the primary pitch of the underside half when Merrill Kelly (0-1) elevated a fastball. Murakami drove it at 115.1 mph into the right-field higher deck, 432 ft away.
Murakami’s game-ending double lifted Japan over Mexico 6-5 in Monday night time’s semifinal and his third-inning homer off Nick Martinez put Japan forward in the 2021 gold medal sport.
Japan loaded the bases in the second on singles by Okamoto and Sosuke Genda, and a stroll to Yuhei Nakamura. Lars Nootbaar, the primary non-Japanese-born participant to seem for the Samurai Warriors, adopted with a run-scoring groundout off Aaron Loup for a 2-1 lead.
Okamoto boosted the lead in the fourth when he despatched a flat slider from Kyle Freeland over the wall in left-center.
Japan was outhit 9-5 as Imanaga mixed with six relievers to carry the US to 0 for 7 with runners in scoring place. The 29-year-old left-hander and Shosei Togo pitched two innings every, Hiroto Takahashi, Hiromi Itoh and Taisei Ota received three outs every, with Ota escaping two-on, no-outs hassle by retiring Trout on a flyout and getting Paul Goldschmidt to floor right into a double play.
Trout and Ohtani hugged behind the batting cage throughout pregame exercises, then held their nation’s flag whereas main their groups towards house plate in single file in the course of the introductions, Trout down the right-field line and Ohtani in left.
Several thousand followers had arrived hours early to observe Ohtani take batting apply and applauded when he hit a drive off the video board above the second deck in heart.
Trout hit .296 in the match with one homer, seven RBIs and 12 strikeouts.
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