In a thriller to claim its third World Baseball Classic championship, Japan held on to defeat the United States, 3-2, as the only team to go undefeated with (7-0) in the tournament. Hollywood could not have written a better script than Shohei Ohtani coming in to close in the ninth, sealing the championship by striking out teammate and former MVP, Mike Trout, on a nasty slider to end the game.
Undefeated Team Japan secures its 3rd #WorldBaseballClassic title! pic.twitter.com/ehM62luyw9
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 22, 2023
It seemed like the United States were seeing the ball well early on in the game, with Mike Trout doubling in the first inning, but the offense was otherwise unsuccessful.