Everything that begins, no matter how good it is, must end, although on this occasion, the 2023 World Baseball Classic will remain in the memory of all fans for many years and what better final dish than in the battle between Japan and the United States. United, where the Japanese, led by the greatest number, Shohei Ohtani, defeated the Stars and Stripes team 3-2 to become the tournament champion.
A huge Japanese fan gathered in the stadium that the day before saw how they won the victory against Mexico in the last inning. With drums, trumpets and timeless costumes, the followers of the ninth samurai are in charge of setting the atmosphere in the stands.
It was only in the second inning when Trea Turner put the seal on the house and with a resounding hit, hiding behind the wall, leading the Stars and Stripes team.
But, as is their nature, the Japanese team stood up and Munetaka Murakami sent the ball down the road, a home run that briefly tied the scoreboard. Just then, Lars Nootbar hit a grounder that ended, but was enough to drive in the second run for the Asian team.
Kazuma Okamoto also wrote his name on the World Classic homers list with a drive to center field to give Rising Sun a two-run lead.
With his nerves on the edge and the balance tilted in his favor, the experienced Yu Darvish went to the mound for relief, but in his turn he took a four-corner stick from Kyle Schwarber, bringing the United States closer. away.
In what seemed like a movie script, Japanese idol Shohei Ohtani stepped in to end the game and did it in a spectacular way to give Japan its third world championship.
The Japanese team ended its participation undefeated, because in Tokyo it won the five games it played (Group Stage and Quarterfinals), while in North America it defeated Mexico and the United States to take the crown.
