Japan beats Mexico, thanks in large part to Raiku Katayama’s brilliant performance
Japan, Raiku Katayama – Over the course of five innings, the right-hander issued only one walk. Mexico scored twice in the sixth inning and once in the seventh, however they left the tying runs in scoring position in the seventh inning after leaving Ryutaro Sawayanagi out of the game.
Japan beat Mexico 4-2 in the Super Round of the IV WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup on Saturday thanks to a masterpiece by starting pitcher Raiku Katayama, who carried the weight and was untouchable for five innings.
Japan maintained their lead they had amassed between the second and third innings, despite a late rally. On Sunday, Japan and Korea will compete in a world championship match for the right to claim the title.
In the second inning’s bottom half, Japan scored the winning run. Ren Onishi, batting in the designated hitter spot, hit a single, moved to second on a groundout, and eventually crossed home plate on a single by right fielder Kaito Saida.
In the third inning against reliever Jose Reyes, they scored four runs to make it 10-0. This all started with a double by third baseman Hiroki Nakagawa. Yuto Hirano, Kanta Aiba, and Saida all contributed with base hits from left field. Then, Jin Nakamura, playing shortstop, contributed with a sacrifice fly.
Japan outhit Mexico (9–3) but could not capitalize by scoring any further runs.
Raiku Katayama
Against Ryutaro Sawayanagi in the top of the sixth, Mexico finally got on the board thanks to pinch hitter Angel Camacho. The relief pitcher struck out the first two batters he faced, but before he could retire the side he gave up three walks and the game’s first Mexican run.
As the seventh inning progressed, Japan’s worries increased. Aldo Nunez, playing right field, reached on an infield single, and Jose Zepeda, playing second base, went deep for a double off of Sawayanagi with two outs and a runner on first. Suddenly, Nunez and Zepeda were in scoring position at third and second base, respectively, but Sawayanagi retired shortstop Hector Mora on a single pitch to finish the game.
Prime position in the whole world Japan won the first-ever Baseball World Cup for players age 23 and under in 2016, however they were defeated by Mexico in the 2018 final. Japan finished second to Chinese Taipei in the first Under-21 Baseball World Cup.
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