Japan Eliminates Team USA in WBC
March 23, 2009 by Stephen Kersey
Filed under Global Baseball
Japan won the initial World Baseball Classic in 2006. On Monday, they will try to win the 2009 World Baseball Classic after defeating the United States on Sunday night by a final score of 9-4 to advance to the championship game.
Akinori Iwamura Bats for Japan (Image: Newscom)
The night started off well for the U.S. as they scored in the top of the first inning. After Japan tied it at one, the United States went up 2-1 on a David Wright RBI double in the third inning.
However, the wheels came off for the U.S. in the bottom of the fourth. Facing starter Roy Oswalt, Japan scored five times to go up 6-2 and they would never look back.
Getting the win for Japan was Daisuke Matsuzaka. Matsuzaka, who was the MVP of the 2006 WBC, remains undefeated in WBC play. His ERA for this year’s event stands at 2.45 after he gave up two earned runs in 4.2 innings.
In the championship game, Japan will face South Korea after South Korea defeated Venezuela on Saturday.
The 2009 World Baseball classic championship will take place at 9:30 PM EST at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
