MIAMI — A home-run robbery, terrific pitching, momentum-squashing catches, a game-tying three-run home run, punching back, and ear-splitting noise and commotion. The World Baseball Classic semifinal between Mexico and Japan had it all, but it was Japan that finally came out on top in front of 35,933 rowdy fans in the building.
Trailing by one run and its three best hitters due up, Japan walked it off in the ninth inning to beat Mexico, 6-5, on Monday night at loanDepot Park. Shohei Ohtani opened the inning with a leadoff double, then Masataka Yoshida drew a walk, and Munetaka Murami finally ended the back-and-forth game with a two-run walk-off double that sent Japanese players flying onto the field in a celebratory frenzy. After the hysteria, Team Japan stood on the third-base line, took its caps off, and bowed to the crowd.
Japan advanced to the WBC final, where it will go toe-to-toe against defending champion Team USA on Tuesday night in Miami.
Deesha Thosar is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. She previously covered the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Daily News. Follow her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar.
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