Team Japan stuns fans with ninth-inning rally to beat Team Mexico in World Baseball Classic semifinal: "Worthy of a World Series Game 7"
Team Japan sent its fans into euphoria by rallying in the bottom of the ninth for a 6-5 victory over Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic semifinals. The come-from-behind triumph propelled Japan into the WBC title game for the first time since the second of their back-to-back championships in 2009.
Munetaka Murakami's two-run double plated Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida to give Japan its first lead of the game on the very last play at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Fla.
Team Japan WALKS IT OFF and is back in the #WorldBaseballClassic finals! https://t.co/yV3P8SHqSU
Mexico struck first as Luis Urias broke open a scoreless game with a two-out, three-run home run to left field in the top of the fourth inning after Rowdy Tellez and Isaac Paredes reached on a pair of soft-hit singles. The blast put quite a dent in an otherwise dominant performance by Japan's starting pitcher Roki Sasaki.
@WBCBaseball DON’T EVER tell me baseball is boring again. WHAT A GAME
@WBCBaseball Mad respect to Mexico. Everyone thought this would be easy. Great game all around.
@WBCBaseball This was one great game between both Teams. Is baseball boring….no way! I knew this was going to be a great game. Congrats to Japan and tip your hats Mexico for a great WBC. 🇲🇽🇯🇵
However, Mexico starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval was just as dominant, holding off a heavy-hitting Japan side for four-plus innings before he was relieved in the fifth inning.
Jose Urquidy came on, but was later relieved by JoJo Romero, who gave up a three-run, two-out homer to Yoshida to tie the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the seventh. The homer gave Yoshida the WBC record for RBI in a tournament with 13.
@WBCBaseball @MLB It was a match worthy of World Series Game 7, congratulations to Japan on the pass. Mexico, it will be the next time and thanks for the illusion.
@WBCBaseball Japan!!!!! Amazing game.
Mexico, much like Venezuela celebrated way too early!! Don’t disrespect your opponent.
@WBCBaseball What a game!! México and Japan played a great game!! México should be proud how they played this WBC!
However, Mexico bounced right back to take the lead on back-to-back doubles by Randy Arozarena and Alex Verdugo in the top of the eighth to take a 4-3 edge that was eventually pushed to 5-3 before the end of the frame.
@WBCBaseball MURAKAMI IS A LEGEND
@WBCBaseball @MLB Gio Gallegos disasterclass
But Japan was also strong. 
🏻Samurai Japan want to win one more and prove the strength of “yakyu”.
@WBCBaseball Mexico was ridiculously strong. 😱But Japan was also strong. 💪🏻Samurai Japan want to win one more and prove the strength of “yakyu”.⚾️
That's how the score remained until Mexico closer Giovanny Gallegos came on to face the heart of Japan's lineup. Ohtani roped Gallegos' very first pitch for a double before Yoshida walked in to put Murakami up with two on and no out. The hulking third baseman battled with Gallegos before launching the ball deep into center field for the game-winning hit.
@WBCBaseball USA vs Japan!
DC and Marvel vs Anime!
Ford vs Toyota!
Apple vs Sony!
LFG!!!!
It's Mexico vs. USA for the World Baseball Classic title
Japan's win sets up a World Baseball Classic championship showdown with Team USA for the first time in the history of the tournament. Miami, Fla., will host the game on Tuesday night.
USA, defending WBC champions are seeking to join Japan as the only two-time back-to-back tournament champions. Japan, which won the first two WBC tournaments in 2007 and 2009, are aiming to become the first three-time WBC champs.