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USA vs. Japan - WBC final LIVE: Americans look to defend their crown against Shohei Ohtani and Co.
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In the matchup everyone was waiting for, it was a battle of Los Angeles Angels teammates: Mike Trout of the United States and Shohei Ohtani of Japan.
With a full count, Ohtani delivered a slider to the outer part of the strike zone on Trout who swung and missed.
Ohtani ran off the mound in celebration and Japan, for the first time since 2009, are the World Baseball Classic champions.
Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto homered as Japan won the World Baseball Classic, defeating the United States 3-2 on Tuesday night.
Ohtani earned the save with a scoreless ninth inning, getting Mookie Betts to bounce into a double play before striking out Trout.
Shohei Ohtani (facing camera) delivered the strikeout Japan needed to win the WBC crown
Team Japan celebrates after beating Team USA to win the World Baseball Classic on Tuesday
It was a battle of LA Angels teammates: Mike Trout of the US (R) and Shohei Ohtani of Japan (L)
Immediately after the strikeout, Ohtani tossed his glove and his cap aside before celebrating with his teammates. Ohtani was also named WBC MVP for his efforts.
Japan, which also prevailed in 2006 and 2009, leads all nations with three WBC titles. Japan went 7-0 in this tournament, joining the 2013 Dominican Republic squad as the only unbeaten teams in WBC history.
Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber homered for Team USA, which entered this tournament as the reigning champion by virtue of its 2017 title.
Turner, who went 2-for-4 on Tuesday, hit five homers during the United States' WBC run. Betts went 2-for-5 for the Americans.
USA opened the scoring in the second inning as Turner slugged a 406-foot solo homer to left off a Shota Imanaga fastball.
Murakami tied the score on the first pitch of the second inning, blasting a 432-foot shot off a Merrill Kelly fastball.
Japan took a 2-1 lead later in the inning, knocking Kelly out of the game after loading the bases with one out. Reliever Aaron Loup got the two batters he faced in the second, but Lars Nootbaar's soft groundout brought home the go-ahead run.
Okamoto's 407-foot homer off a Kyle Freeland slider gave Japan a 3-1 lead in the fourth.
Japan fans in Tokyo celebrate their nation's win in the Championship game vs. the USA
Trout - America's top star - disappointed for the USA: batting 1-5 and striking out three times
For his part throughout the tournament, Ohtani was named the World Baseball Classic's MVP
USA started well in the seventh as pinch hitter Jeff McNeil drew a four-pitch walk against Taisei Ota and Betts singled to left. However, Trout lined out to right, and Paul Goldschmidt bounced into a double play to end the threat.
Schwarber cut the USA deficit to 3-2 after a strong at-bat against Yu Darvish. After working the count to 2-1, Schwarber fouled off six straight pitches before getting hold of a splitter and hammering it 436 feet to right-center field to draw the Americans closer.
Ohtani came out to close the game - something he hasn’t done since 2016 and never done in the United States. Despite his tendency to play as a starting pitcher, Ohtani said he called back to those past situations when he faced down the final three batters.
‘That experience was huge for me,' Ohtani said through a translator. 'This wasn’t my first time…, so I knew how to prepare for it - even though it was like five, six years ago - but that experience really helped out this time around.’
In the ninth, McNeil drew a leadoff walk against Ohtani. Betts' double-play grounder then set the stage for the epic Ohtani-Trout matchup.
Ohtani won the duel, getting Trout on a 3-2 sweeping breaking ball that tailed away from him.
Ohtani and his team lifted the trophy that had eluded them since they last won it in 2009
Ohtani had spent a good part of the game running back and forth between the dugout and the bullpen - resting to keep his arm fresh, only to then go back and prepare to hit.
If the United States had tied the game, Ohtani would have been the fourth batter up - and he likely would have torched his arm after tossing multiple pitches at or above 100 mph.
'Luckily, my spot in the lineup didn’t come up that inning. Also that replay, that gave me time to walk slowly to the mound so that was great,' Ohtani said.
Ohtani had some time to soak in the grander meaning to all of this - just before he began the new baseball season with the Angels next week.
'It’s just a different experience with representing your country, and facing all the guys that represent their own countries, there’s a little different intensity there, so it was great,' he said.
With this victory, Japan has a commanding lead in all-time WBC titles with three to their name
And with that, that will end our coverage
02:47
FINAL: USA 2-3 JPN
Japan has added to its impressive trophy cabinet to win its first WBC title since 2009 - and its third overall, the most of any country.
02:44
IT'S OVER!!!!!! OHTANI'S DONE IT!!!!! JAPAN WINS THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC!!!
OHTANI STRIKES OUT MIKE TROUT TO WIN THE WBC TITLE FOR JAPAN FOR THE THIRD TIME IN ITS HISTORY
FULL COUNT. 3-2.
What happens now? Who gives way?
02:41
Mookie Betts hits into a double play. The USA is down to its last chance and it's Mike Trout up to bat
With glory for his country on the line, can Trout tie the game off his Angels teammate?
02:40
Ohtani walks Jeff McNeil
Ohtani might be too amped up right here. Bobby Witt Jr. is in to pinch run for McNeil.
Mookie Betts is up to try and take the lead with one swing.
Man on first (Witt).
No outs.
02:36
Defensive switch for Japan
Nootbaar goes to left field as Taisei Makihara goes out to center field
02:34
END 8: USA 2-3 JPN. THIS COULD BE THE GAME RIGHT HERE.
This is the moment of the game that we've all been waiting for.
Ohtani is coming up to pitch as the closer in the game of his life.
The next three batters are Jeff McNeil, Mookie Betts, and Mike Trout.
The USA needs one run to tie, two runs to take the lead.
It could be extended, or it could all end this inning.
Team USA needs to score a run to keep this game alive
02:30
Yamada steals second with a perfect run
Realmuto had a perfectly placed throw but just couldn't beat him out after Williams' pitch one-hopped in the dirt.
Man on second (Yamada).
Two outs.
02:28
Williams walks Yamada on a full count
Williams almost had him on a foul ball, but couldn't get it. Genda is up now.
Man on first (Yamada).
Two outs.
02:25
Williams strikes out Okamoto on a full count
It's another strikeout as the USA is riding high on momentum right now.
Two outs.
02:22
Williams strikes Murakami out on three pitches
Great start for the Americans here.
One out.
02:20
Brewers reliever Devin Williams will be in to pitch
He'll face five-hole hitter Murakami first.
02:19
MID 8: USA 2-3 JPN
Schwarber's home run made things interesting. The next three batters in the American lineup for the top of the ninth are McNeil, Betts, and Trout.
But now, Japan is up to bat.
Kyle Schwarber #12 of Team USA celebrates with teammates after a solo home run
02:18
Realmuto pops it up in the infield. Two away.
Cedric Mullins has the chance to take the lead for the United States.
Man on first (Turner).
Two away.
02:16
Trea Turner loops one into the outfield grass
We might have something on our hands here folks. J.T. Realmuto is up to bat.
Man on first (Turner).
One out.
02:15
KYLE SCHWARBER HAS MADE IT A ONE-RUN GAME!!! USA 2-3 JPN
He took four pitches deep and pulled foul. The fifth time he smacks one second-deck in right center for a 436 foot shot.
One out.
Kyle Schwarber #12 of Team USA reacts after hitting a solo home run
02:10
Arenado flies out to Nootbaar, one gone
Darvish has had trouble in the past against Arenado - so he escapes with one there. Up now is Schwarber.
One out.
02:08
Padres starter Yu Darvish is in to pitch the eighth inning
Darvish ducks a string of players he's not as successful against. Up now is Nolan Arenado.
02:06
END 7: USA 1-3 JPN
Yoshida hits a double play ball that the Americans easily turn to get out of the seventh.
02:03
Call stands and Ohtani is safe as Yoshida comes up
It was very close and since the call on the field was safe, it stands.
Man on first (Ohtani).
One out.
Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan reacts to a close play at first base
02:01
Ohtani beats the throw to reach first base... but they're checking
It's possible Ohtani is safe as it looks like the ball arrives in Goldschmidt's glove from Turner's throw just as Ohtani steps on the base.
We are checking...
01:58
Kondoh pops out in the infield, one gone.
Up comes Shohei Ohtani.
One out.
01:56
Pirates reliever David Bednar is on the mound
Ohtani is on deck as Kensuke Kondoh is up to bat.
01:54
MID 7: USA 1-3 JPN
Goldschmidt hits a lackluster double play ball to destroy the Americans' hope of any runs.
The USA needs to get going if they have any hope of winning
01:52
Trout flies out to right, one away
Can Goldschmidt do something here?
Man on first (Betts) and second (McNeil).
One out.
01:50
Betts slaps a hit through the gap for a single
Up comes Mike Trout to try and take the lead right here.
Man on first (Betts) and second (McNeil).
No outs.
01:48
McNeil gets walked to start off the order
This might be just what the US needs with Mookie Betts up to bat.
Man on first (McNeil).
No outs.
01:46
Taisei Ota pitches for Japan
Yu Darvish remains in the bullpen throwing for a possible eighth inning appearance.
01:44
END 6: USA 1-3 JPN
Adam does well to get Nootbaar to fly out to right field - avoiding certain disaster.
Jeff McNeil comes up as the ninth batter in the order to pinch hit for Tim Anderson with Team USA in need of a spark soon.
Team USA needs to start getting some runs on the board
01:40
Adam has walked three straight batters to load the bases
Adam's gonna stay out on the mound here because the US is going to try and save arms for the final three innings.
Bases loaded (Yamada, Genda, Nakamura).
Two outs.
01:39
Adam walks Genda next
Ohtani comes running out of the bullpen as he may be needed to bat soon as Nakamura - the ninth batter in the order - comes up to the plate.
Man on first (Genda) and second (Yamada).
Two outs.
01:35
Yamada steals second as Genda looks at the first pitch
Man on second (Yamada).
Two outs.
01:34
Yamada is walked as Adam's 1, 2, 3 inning is spoiled
The count went full and he couldn't get Yamada to bite on the slider. Genda is up now.
Man on first (Yamada).
Two outs.
01:31
Adam strikes out another as there's two down
Okamoto swings and misses as Yamada comes up to bat.
Two outs.
01:29
Murakami strikes out, one away
It's a great start for Jason Adam here with Okamoto up to bat.
One out.
01:29
Ohtani is off to the bullpen
He's sitting currently as there are two pitchers up for Japan - meaning it's likely Ohtani will pitch as a closer
Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan walks to the bullpen
01:27
Rays reliever Jason Adam is in to pitch now
He faces Murakami as his first opponent
01:25
MID 6: USA 1-3 JPN
Mullins does a half swing and just like that, we're in the bottom of the sixth
Hiromi Itoh #17 of Team Japan pitches in the sixth inning
01:22
Realmuto grounds out to third, two away
Murakami makes the throw in plenty of time to bring up Cedric Mullins.
Two outs.
01:20
Turner flies out to left, one down
Yoshida doesn't even have to move to grab it.
One out.
01:18
Hiromi Itoh pitching for Japan
The 20-year-old Hiroto Takahashi gets only one inning of work as we start the sixth.
01:17
END 5: USA 1-3 JPN
Yoshida chops the ball back to Freeland who puts it away to end the fifth inning. Off to the sixth we go - with Turner up to bat.
Kyle Freeland #21 of Team USA pitches
01:14
Ohtani gets beaten by the shift, but the runner moves to second
That might be the last time we see Ohtani batting this evening, as he could get some looks at pitcher.
Man on second (Kondoh).
Two out.
01:11
Kondoh is walked as Ohtani comes up to bat
A two-run shot could possibly sink the Americans here.
Man on first (Kondoh).
One out.
01:09
Nootbaar tries jumping on the third pitch, but flies out, one away
Up next is Kondoh - with Ohtani on deck.
One out.
01:06
MID 5: USA 1-3 JPN
Schwarber ruins the Americans' best chance to get on the board since the Turner home run.
Hiroto Takahashi #28 of Team Japan pitches in the fifth inning
01:03
Arenado times up the splitter and gets a base hit
Good way for the USA to keep things going here with Schwarber at bat.
Man on first (Arenado) and second (Betts).
Two outs.
01:01
Goldschmidt gets struck out as well, two away
It's up to Nolan Arenado to keep this inning alive for the USA
Man on first (Betts).
Two outs.
00:58
Trout strikes out for the first out of the fifth inning
Since that first inning double, Trout has been silent at the plate.
Man on first (Betts).
One out.
00:54
Betts hits a HIGH chopper and the initial out call gets overturned
USA manager Mark DeRosa challenges the call and it's overturned.
Man on first (Betts).
No outs.
00:53
Hiroto Takahashi takes the mound for Japan
He'll face Mookie Betts to start the inning
00:52
END 4: USA 1-3 JPN
Nakamura dribbles a grounder to Arenado who slings it over for the out at first.
But Japan extended their lead thanks to Okamoto in the bottom of the fourth.
Kazuma Okamoto #25 of Team Japan hits a solo home run in the fourth inning
00:48
Freeland strikes Genda out to put two away
He pitches inside and upstairs to Genda who takes a hack at it and misses.
Two outs.
00:46
Yamada flies out to right to get the first out
Freeland is looking to get back after giving up that first run.
One out.
00:46
OKAMOTO WITH THE LEAD OFF SOLO SHOT!!! USA 1-3 JPN
Okamoto took the 1-0 pitch to center (407 ft) and Japan extends their lead!
00:42
MID 4: USA 1-2 JPN
Togo gets a 1,2,3 fourth inning to move on to the next half inning.
Shosei Togo #12 of Team Japan reacts at the end of the inning
00:41
Mullins lines out to Yoshida in left center for the second out
Team USA is blazing through the bottom of their order here in the top of the fourth inning.
Two outs.
00:39
Realmuto lines out to shortstop
Not a great start for the Americans as they hope to respond soon.
One out.
00:35
END 3: USA 1-2 JPN
Murakami grounds into a double play to get the US out of the inning
00:34
And Freeland follows that strikeout up with a four-pitch walk
Freeland sends Yoshida to first base to bring up Murakami.
Man on first (Yoshida).
One out.
00:32
Ohtani stares at a 3-2 cutter that falls away for him but stays in the zone
A great pitch from Freeland to get the US started right.
One out.
00:31
Kyle Freeland is pitching for the USA
The Colorado Rockies' starter pitches to Shohei Ohtani to start the bottom of the third inning.
Kyle Freeland #21 of Team USA pitches in the third inning against Team Japan
00:29
MID 3: USA 1-2 JPN
Turner gets buckled on a dropping ball close to his chest that gets him swinging. Team USA strands two as Japan comes up.
Shosei Togo #12 of Team Japan pitches in the third inning
00:25
Schwarber walked on a full count to bring two men on and Trea Turner up
This could be another huge moment for Turner who has hit four home runs in his last seven at bats.
Men on first (Schwarber) and second (Arenado).
Two outs.
00:22
Arenado walked to get on base
The third baseman looks at a 3-1 pitch as Kyle Schwarber comes up.
Man on first (Arenado).
Two outs.
00:20
Goldschmidt sends a towering fly ball into the glove of Yoshida, two gone
The first baseman almost hits the rafters as Yoshida easily puts it away.
Two outs.
00:19
Trout strikes out on a 1-2 pitch to start the third inning, one out
A great ball down and in the zone sends Trout packing.
One out.
00:15
END 2: USA 1-2 JPN
Kondoh flies out to center and the United States escapes with only giving up a single run
Members of Team Japan react after a home run by Munetaka Murakami #55
00:12
Nootbaar jams a hit to first, where the only play is to tag him out. USA 1-2 JPN
Okamoto comes home as the only play is to first base and Japan takes the lead.
Man on second (Nakamura) and third (Genda).
Two outs.
00:08
Kelly comes out as Aaron Loup comes in
The Angels closer will be pitching to Lars Nootbaar coming up
00:06
Kelly walks Nakamura on a full count to load the bases with one out
The USA might be going to their bullpen here as Kelly's pitch misses outside on a full count for ball four.
Bases loaded (Nakamura, Genda, Okamoto).
One out.
00:04
Sosuke Genda is on with a base hit
The Samurai Japan are in the same position as the US was earlier this inning, but they have fewer outs with Yuhei Nakamura up.
Man on first (Genda) and second (Okamoto).
One out.
00:02
Tetsuto Yamada flies out to right field, one away
Kelly gets over some nerves to get one out on the board.
Man on first (Okamoto).
One out.
23:59
Kazuma Okamoto gets on base for Japan
The first baseman hits one in the gap to get on-base.
Man on first (Okamoto).
No outs.
23:58
MURAKAMI TIES IT UP!!! USA 1-1 JPN
Last night's hero Munetaka Murakami takes Kelly deep to right-center (432 ft) for a solo shot to tie it up
Munetaka Murakami #55 of Team Japan celebrates after hitting a solo home run
23:54
MID 2: USA 1-0 JPN
Betts flies out on the first pitch to end this half of the inning.
It's a great start for Team USA as Japan now enters the middle of their order.
Trea Turner (8) got Team USA off to a great start with a solo shot in the second inning
23:53
Anderson pokes a single up the middle to move everyone up one spot
With that, the United States is back to the top of the order with Mookie Betts coming up.
Man on first (Anderson) and second (Realmuto).
Two outs.
23:52
Mullins looks at strike three, two away
Imanaga tossed a perfect pitch on a 1-2 count that landed perfectly on the right edge of the strike zone to bring up Tim Anderson.
Man on first (Realmuto).
Two outs.
23:50
J.T. Realmuto slaps one through the gap between short and third to reach first
Realmuto on the full count pokes one through to get on base. That brings up Cedric Mullins with one out in the top of the second.
23:46
HOME RUN USA!!!! TREA TURNER'S DONE IT AGAIN!!! USA 1-0 JPN
Turner took the 2-1 pitch deep to left (406 ft) after the pitch went right down the middle to give the US a 1-0 lead!
Trea Turner #8 of Team USA celebrates after hitting a solo home run
23:44
Schwarber flies out for the first out of the second inning, one out
That brings out Trea Turner for Team USA
23:41
END 1: USA 0-0 JPN
Yoshida looks at the 1-2 pitch as it clips the bottom right corner of the zone for strike three.
Serve is held and we flip to the second.
23:39
Kelly walks Ohtani to bring up Yoshida
Ohtani is walked on a 3-1 pitch to bring up slugger Yoshida to the plate
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan walks to first base in the first inning against Team USA during the World Baseball Classic Championship at loanDepot park on March 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
23:36
Kondoh grounds out to short to bring up Ohtani with two outs
It's an easy grounder that Turner cleans up. Two away.
23:33
Lars Nootbaar hits the first pitch to shallow left for an out, one away
Nootbaar flied out to Cedric Mullins on the first pitch tossed by Merrill Kelly.
23:30
MID 1: USA 0-0 JPN
Arenado jumps on the first pitch, but hits it right to first base and Japan gets out of the first inning unscathed.
It's a great start for Japan's Shota Imanaga - who replaced Padres pitcher Yu Darvish
Shota Imanaga #21 of Team Japan pitches in the first inning against Team USA during the World Baseball Classic Championship at loanDepot park on March 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
23:29
Goldschmidt swings and misses for strike three, two outs in the top of the first
Arenado comes up to bat with the first run of the game on second base
23:28
Trout gets the first hit of the night for the USA - and he turns it into a double!
He flies a 1-1 pitch over the heads of the first baseman and turns what would normally be a single into a double!
Goldschmidt is at the plate with Trout on second, one out.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: Mike Trout #27 of Team USA slides into second against Sosuke Genda #2 of Team Japan in the first inning against Team Japan during the World Baseball Classic Championship at loanDepot park on March 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
23:26
Betts flies out to right center field, one away
He jumped on the second pitch, but it didn't carry far enough
23:25
And we're underway here in the World Baseball Classic Championship game
The United States is the away team tonight, so they're batting first.
23:14
Teams have made their way to the field
Both squads have lined up, the national anthems have been played, and we're almost ready to go
Mike Trout #27 of Team USA leads the team to the field carrying the American flag
Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan leads the team out carrying out the Japanese flag
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred is in the building
Manfred is getting set for the start of the MLB season in just over a week's time
Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred looks on during batting practice ahead of the World Baseball Classic Championship
22:49
Shohei Ohtani is warming up
Tonight, we will see arguably the two best players in baseball go at it. Ohtani has been clutch all series long and could even see some time pitching later in this game.
Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan looks on during batting practice
22:42
Fans of Samurai Japan have begun to file in
Can Japan, the most successful team in the World Baseball Classic, add to their trophy cabinet?
Fans gather to watch the 2023 World Baseball Classic Championship final game between USA and Japan
Fans gather to watch the 2023 World Baseball Classic Championship final game between USA and Japan
Fans gather to watch the 2023 World Baseball Classic Championship final game between USA and Japan
22:32
UNITED STATES STARTING LINEUP
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly will get the start for the Americans as they look to defend their WBC title
1. Mookie Betts, RF (LA Dodgers)
2. Mike Trout, CF (LA Angels)
3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B (St. Louis)
4. Nolan Arenado, 3B (St. Louis)
5. Kyle Schwarber, DH (Philadelphia)
6. Trea Turner, SS (Philadelphia)
7. J.T. Realmuto, C (Philadelphia)
8. Cedric Mullins, LF (Baltimore)
9. Tim Anderson, 2B (Chicago White Sox)
22:27
JAPAN STARTING LINEUP
Shota Imanaga toes the rubber for the Samurai Japan as Ohtani bats third and Yoshida takes the cleanup role.
1. Lars Nootbaar, CF (St. Louis)
2. Kensuke Kondoh, RF
3. Shohei Ohtani, DH (LA Angels)
4. Masataka Yoshida, LF (Boston)
5. Munetaka Murakami, 3B
6. Kazuma Okamoto, 1B
7. Tetsuto Yamada, 2B
8. Sosuke Genda, SS
9. Yuhei Nakamura, C
22:13
It's a clash of two Los Angeles Angels teammates
The two biggest stars of this game - Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani - will both go back to being teammates on the LA Angels once this contest ends.
Mike Trout #27 of Team USA
Japan's Shohei Ohtani celebrates
22:04
Hello and welcome to DailyMail.com's live coverage of the World Baseball Classic Championship Game
We're in for a good one tonight as the United States and Japan are set to square off for the championship game.
Host commentator