Japan Walks Off Mexico

03/21/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Japan Rallies to Beat Mexico With Walk-Off Double in 9th Inning (6-5) to Set Up Final Against USA

With nine days until Opening Day, baseball fans didn’t have to wait for April to get their fix at the diamond. The World Baseball Classic has been a thrilling two-week event that’s grown to new heights, and Monday’s semifinal sets the stage for tonight’s epic finale. Team Japan rallied to beat Team Mexico (6-5) on Monday night. Luis Urias put Mexico on the board with a three-run shot in the 4th inning only to see Masataka Yoshida fire back with a three-run homer of his own. After Mexico secured a 5-4 lead entering the bottom of the 9th, Angels’ star Shohei Ohtani slapped a double to start the rally. Yoshida earned a walk to put the go-ahead run on base before Munetaka Murakami cracked a two-run, walk-off double to send Japan into celebration mode.

 

Watch: Japan Beats Mexico With 9th-Inning Walk-Off in WBC Semifinal (6-5)

 

Some of the biggest stars in baseball have taken the WBC to another level of entertainment in 2023, infusing more excitement into the tournament. Now, it’s Japan vs. USA tonight for the finale.

 

World Baseball Classic Final (Tonight)

Team USA vs. Team Japan (7:00 pm ET, FS1)

 

Additional Storylines

Sporting News: Murakami Overcomes Slump With Walkoff Double to Stun Mexico

USA Today: Japan Rallies for Thrilling Walk-Off Win Over Mexico in World Baseball Classic Semifinal

 

Photo: Mary DeCicco / Getty Images