Japan Defeat US 3-2 to Win World Baseball Classsic

Shohei Ohtani emerged from the bullpen and fanned Los Angeles, Angels teammate Mike Trout, for the final out in a matchup the whole baseball world wanted to see. Leading Japan over the defending champion United States 3-2 on Tuesday night for its first world baseball classic title since 2009. 

Ohtani the two way star who has captivated fans across two continents beat out an infield single in the seventh inning as a designated hitter and walked down the left-field line to Japan’s bullpen to warm up for his third mound appearance of the tournament. 

Ohtani was named 2023 world baseball classic MVP after he batted 435 with one home run four doubles eight RBI’s and 10 walks at the plate. The two-way star was also 2-0 with a save and a 1 point 86 era on the mound striking out 11 in 9 2/3 innings.
 
Trout, the US captain and a three-time MVP, then ended the game by striking out on a full-count breaking ball. 
 
Japan joined the Dominican Republic in 2013 to become the only unbeaten champions of baseball’s premier national team tournament.