(Photo credit score: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images)
Masataka Yoshida belted a two-run homer with two outs within the seventh inning, serving to defending champion Japan clinch Group C in pool play of the World Baseball Classic with a 4-3 victory over Australia on Sunday in Tokyo.
Yoshida was capable of come to the plate within the inning after Australia pitcher Jon Kennedy didn’t catch shortstop Jarryd Dale’s throw to first base to finish a double play. The Boston Red Sox slugger made Kennedy pay for the miscue by depositing his 0-1 slider into the seats in right-center area to offer Japan a 2-1 lead.
Teruaki Sato and Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki supplied insurance coverage within the eighth inning, with the previous ripping an RBI double and the latter drawing a bases-loaded stroll.
Japan, which mustered simply 5 hits, benefited from 12 walks to enhance to 3-0 in round-robin play.
Alex Hall and Rixon Wingrove every launched a solo homer within the ninth inning for Australia (2-1), which nonetheless can attain the quarterfinals with a win over Korea (1-2) on Monday.
The prime two groups from every of the 4 swimming pools will advance to the quarterfinals, which will likely be cut up between Miami and Houston. The semifinals on March 15 and 16 in addition to the ultimate on March 17 will likely be contested in Miami.
Australia’s Aaron Whitefield collected three of his staff’s eight hits and scored a run on a throwing error within the sixth inning.
Whitefield, who beforehand performed for the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Angels, ripped a double to proper area with one out and tried to steal third base. Catcher Kenya Wakatsuki’s throw sailed nicely contained in the third-base line and into left area, permitting Whitefield to scamper house.
Japan was threatening to snap a scoreless tie with Shohei Ohtani on the plate and the bases loaded with two outs within the fourth inning. Australia catcher Robbie Perkins, nonetheless, alertly caught Shugo Maki leaning too far off second base and fired a strike to Dale to finish the inning.
–Field Level Media