LOS ANGELES – Breaking down Tuesday’s semifinal game of the World Baseball Classic between USA and Japan.



United States 2, Japan 1 



 ***

The game: It was the greatest pitching duel of the tournament for USA, knowing that one little mistake, one bad pitch, could end their championship hopes. USA’s staff never relented, giving up a solo home run, but that was it, shutting down Japan the rest of the game for their first trip to the WBC championship game.

The hero of the night was Ian Kinsler, who hit a one-out double off the left-center-field fence advancing Brandon Crawford to third base. Team Japan brought the infield in, and got just what they wanted when Adam Jones hit a slow roller to sure-handed third baseman Noburhiro Matsuda. If he fields the ball cleanly, Crawford is out by 10 feet at the plate.

But he dropped it. He recovered in time to throw out Jones at first base, but the critical run scored.





State of Championship Round: The emotional, dramatic World Baseball Classic has reached its final day. It will be USA against Team Puerto Rico, who’s undefeated in the tournament, and outscoring their opponents, 55-18.

Puerto Rico, who lost the title game in 2013 to the Dominican Republic, is seeking vengeance, desperately hoping to capture its first championship.

It will be Toronto Blue Jays ace Marcus Stroman pitching for Team USA against Puerto Rico starter Seth Lugo of the New York Mets.

Pivot point: Team USA was hanging on for dear life in the eighth inning when USA manager Jim Leyland called upon Pat Neshek with two runners on and two outs. Neshek, facing cleanup hitter Yoshitomo Tsutsugoh, threw a 70-mph knuckle-curve and got him to fly out to right fielder Andrew McCutchen for the final out.

Neshek walked off the mound raising his hands high in the air, and USA was on their way to the championship game.

Man of the moment: USA left fielder Andrew McCutchen. McCutchen, who hit a huge two-run double that broke the game open in USA’s 6-3 victory over the Dominican Republic to vault them into the championship game, delivered once again on this night.

He hit a two-out, run-scoring single in the fourth inning that accounted for USA’s lone run, and the only blemish against Japan starter Tomoyuki Sugano.

And he caught the crucial third out of the eighth inning when Yoshitomo Tsutsugoh just missed hitting a home run.

Needing a mulligan: Team Japan second baseman Ryosuke Kikuchi. Kikuchi cost his team the first run of the game, and nearly another, with blunders in back-to-back innings. It was in the fourth inning when USA outfielder Christian Yelich hit a sharp grounder towards Kikuchi, who was playing almost in shallow right fielder. The ball went right through him, Yelich kept hustling, and wound up on second. The error proved costly when Andrew McCutchen capitalized with a two-out, run-scoring single.

Kikuchi almost cost Japan a run in the third inning, too, when Giancarlo Stanton hit a tailor-made double play grounder to third baseman Nobuhiro Sakaomoto. Sakomoto threw to Kikuchi at second, who fired to first, for what appeared to be a double play. Only the replay showed that Kikuchi wasn’t even close to second base, and Posey was safe.

Although Kikuchi provided Japan’s lone run with his homer, he also struck out in the eighth with a runner on second base.

Manager’s special: Leyland raised some eyebrows when he pulled starter Tanner Roark after yielding two hits in four shutout innings, and throwing only 48 pitches. It lowered USA’s starter’s ERA to just 1.50 in 30 innings during the WBC.

Yet, despite Roark’s domination, Leyland called upon Chicago White Sox reliever Nate Jones.

It looked as if it would work to perfection as Jones pitched a 1-2-3 fifth inning, and retired the first four batters he faced. Yet, with one out in the sixth, and on a 1-and-2 pitch, he gave up a homer on a 98-mph fastball to right field to Ryosuke Kikuchi.

Leyland turned to left-hander Andrew Miller, who closed out the sixth, keeping the score tied at 1-apiece. They wound up using six relievers to close out the game.

What you missed on TV: The atmosphere was like a high-school football game with the damp air, fog rolling in, and a large band from Japan that constantly played and cheered when Team Japan was at the plate.

Yet, unlike the atmosphere in Miami against the Dominican Republic that unraveled Roark, it was as if he fed off the energy on this night.

Roark, who had pitched only 1 1/3 innings in the WBC, cruised on this night, pitching five shout innings in what he called the biggest game of his career.

“It's usually the team that pitches the best normally has the best shot of winning,’’ Leyland said. “It's very rare that you outslug anybody. You don't do it for a whole season. Once in a great, great while, maybe.

“But for the most part, it's about the pitching, catching the ball, throwing it to the right base, just playing basic baseball.

“There is nothing tricky about it.’’ </s> CLOSE USA TODAY Sports' Jorge L. Ortiz breaks down Team USA's win over Japan and previews Wednesday's championship game matchup between the U.S. and Puerto Rico at Dodger Stadium. USA TODAY Sports

Andrew McCutchen singles to score Christian Yelich in the fourth inning. (Photo: Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sport)

LOS ANGELES – Breaking down Tuesday’s semifinal game of the World Baseball Classic between USA and Japan.



United States 2, Japan 1



***

The game: It was the greatest pitching duel of the tournament for USA, knowing that one little mistake, one bad pitch, could end their championship hopes. USA’s staff never relented, giving up a solo home run, but that was it, shutting down Japan the rest of the game for their first trip to the WBC championship game.

The hero of the night was Ian Kinsler, who hit a one-out double off the left-center-field fence advancing Brandon Crawford to third base. Team Japan brought the infield in, and got just what they wanted when Adam Jones hit a slow roller to sure-handed third baseman Noburhiro Matsuda. If he fields the ball cleanly, Crawford is out by 10 feet at the plate.

But he dropped it. He recovered in time to throw out Jones at first base, but the critical run scored.





MORE WBC:

***

State of Championship Round: The emotional, dramatic World Baseball Classic has reached its final day. It will be USA against Team Puerto Rico, who’s undefeated in the tournament, and outscoring their opponents, 55-18.

Puerto Rico, who lost the title game in 2013 to the Dominican Republic, is seeking vengeance, desperately hoping to capture its first championship.

It will be Toronto Blue Jays ace Marcus Stroman pitching for Team USA against Puerto Rico starter Seth Lugo of the New York Mets.

***

Pivot point: Team USA was hanging on for dear life in the eighth inning when USA manager Jim Leyland called upon Pat Neshek with two runners on and two outs. Neshek, facing cleanup hitter Yoshitomo Tsutsugoh, threw a 70-mph knuckle-curve and got him to fly out to right fielder Andrew McCutchen for the final out.

Neshek walked off the mound raising his hands high in the air, and USA was on their way to the championship game.

***

Man of the moment: USA left fielder Andrew McCutchen. McCutchen, who hit a huge two-run double that broke the game open in USA’s 6-3 victory over the Dominican Republic to vault them into the championship game, delivered once again on this night.

He hit a two-out, run-scoring single in the fourth inning that accounted for USA’s lone run, and the only blemish against Japan starter Tomoyuki Sugano.

And he caught the crucial third out of the eighth inning when Yoshitomo Tsutsugoh just missed hitting a home run.

***

Needing a mulligan: Team Japan second baseman Ryosuke Kikuchi. Kikuchi cost his team the first run of the game, and nearly another, with blunders in back-to-back innings. It was in the fourth inning when USA outfielder Christian Yelich hit a sharp grounder towards Kikuchi, who was playing almost in shallow right fielder. The ball went right through him, Yelich kept hustling, and wound up on second. The error proved costly when Andrew McCutchen capitalized with a two-out, run-scoring single.

Kikuchi almost cost Japan a run in the third inning, too, when Giancarlo Stanton hit a tailor-made double play grounder to third baseman Nobuhiro Sakaomoto. Sakomoto threw to Kikuchi at second, who fired to first, for what appeared to be a double play. Only the replay showed that Kikuchi wasn’t even close to second base, and Posey was safe.

Although Kikuchi provided Japan’s lone run with his homer, he also struck out in the eighth with a runner on second base.

***

Manager’s special: Leyland raised some eyebrows when he pulled starter Tanner Roark after yielding two hits in four shutout innings, and throwing only 48 pitches. It lowered USA’s starter’s ERA to just 1.50 in 30 innings during the WBC.

Yet, despite Roark’s domination, Leyland called upon Chicago White Sox reliever Nate Jones.

It looked as if it would work to perfection as Jones pitched a 1-2-3 fifth inning, and retired the first four batters he faced. Yet, with one out in the sixth, and on a 1-and-2 pitch, he gave up a homer on a 98-mph fastball to right field to Ryosuke Kikuchi.

Leyland turned to left-hander Andrew Miller, who closed out the sixth, keeping the score tied at 1-apiece. They wound up using six relievers to close out the game.

***

What you missed on TV: The atmosphere was like a high-school football game with the damp air, fog rolling in, and a large band from Japan that constantly played and cheered when Team Japan was at the plate.

Yet, unlike the atmosphere in Miami against the Dominican Republic that unraveled Roark, it was as if he fed off the energy on this night.

Roark, who had pitched only 1 1/3 innings in the WBC, cruised on this night, pitching five shout innings in what he called the biggest game of his career.

“It's usually the team that pitches the best normally has the best shot of winning,’’ Leyland said. “It's very rare that you outslug anybody. You don't do it for a whole season. Once in a great, great while, maybe.

“But for the most part, it's about the pitching, catching the ball, throwing it to the right base, just playing basic baseball.

“There is nothing tricky about it.’’

Gallery: Best pictures from WBC </s> LOS ANGELES – Breaking down Tuesday’s semifinal game of the World Baseball Classic between USA and Japan.

The game: It was the greatest pitching duel of the tournament for USA, knowing that one little mistake, one bad pitch, could end their championship hopes. USA’s staff never relented, giving up a solo home run, but that was it, shutting down Japan the rest of the game for their first trip to the WBC championship game.

The hero of the night was Ian Kinsler, who hit a one-out double off the left-center-field fence advancing Brandon Crawford to third base. Team Japan brought the infield in, and got just what they wanted when Adam Jones hit a slow roller to sure-handed third baseman Noburhiro Matsuda. If he fields the ball cleanly, Crawford is out by 10 feet at the plate.

But he dropped it. He recovered in time to throw out Jones at first base, but the critical run scored.

State of Championship Round: The emotional, dramatic World Baseball Classic has reached its final day. It will be USA against Team Puerto Rico, who’s undefeated in the tournament, and outscoring their opponents, 55-18.

Puerto Rico, who lost the title game in 2013 to the Dominican Republic, is seeking vengeance, desperately hoping to capture its first championship.

It will be Toronto Blue Jays ace Marcus Stroman pitching for Team USA against Puerto Rico starter Seth Lugo of the New York Mets.

Pivot point: Team USA was hanging on for dear life in the eighth inning when USA manager Jim Leyland called upon Pat Neshek with two runners on and two outs. Neshek, facing cleanup hitter Yoshitomo Tsutsugoh, threw a 70-mph knuckle-curve and got him to fly out to right fielder Andrew McCutchen for the final out.

Neshek walked off the mound raising his hands high in the air, and USA was on their way to the championship game.

Man of the moment: USA left fielder Andrew McCutchen. McCutchen, who hit a huge two-run double that broke the game open in USA’s 6-3 victory over the Dominican Republic to vault them into the championship game, delivered once again on this night.

He hit a two-out, run-scoring single in the fourth inning that accounted for USA’s lone run, and the only blemish against Japan starter Tomoyuki Sugano.

And he caught the crucial third out of the eighth inning when Yoshitomo Tsutsugoh just missed hitting a home run.

Needing a mulligan: Team Japan second baseman Ryosuke Kikuchi. Kikuchi cost his team the first run of the game, and nearly another, with blunders in back-to-back innings. It was in the fourth inning when USA outfielder Christian Yelich hit a sharp grounder towards Kikuchi, who was playing almost in shallow right fielder. The ball went right through him, Yelich kept hustling, and wound up on second. The error proved costly when Andrew McCutchen capitalized with a two-out, run-scoring single.

Kikuchi almost cost Japan a run in the third inning, too, when Giancarlo Stanton hit a tailor-made double play grounder to third baseman Nobuhiro Sakaomoto. Sakomoto threw to Kikuchi at second, who fired to first, for what appeared to be a double play. Only the replay showed that Kikuchi wasn’t even close to second base, and Posey was safe.

Although Kikuchi provided Japan’s lone run with his homer, he also struck out in the eighth with a runner on second base.

Manager’s special: Leyland raised some eyebrows when he pulled starter Tanner Roark after yielding two hits in four shutout innings, and throwing only 48 pitches. It lowered USA’s starter’s ERA to just 1.50 in 30 innings during the WBC.

Yet, despite Roark’s domination, Leyland called upon Chicago White Sox reliever Nate Jones.

It looked as if it would work to perfection as Jones pitched a 1-2-3 fifth inning, and retired the first four batters he faced. Yet, with one out in the sixth, and on a 1-and-2 pitch, he gave up a homer on a 98-mph fastball to right field to Ryosuke Kikuchi.

Leyland turned to left-hander Andrew Miller, who closed out the sixth, keeping the score tied at 1-apiece. They wound up using six relievers to close out the game.

What you missed on TV: The atmosphere was like a high-school football game with the damp air, fog rolling in, and a large band from Japan that constantly played and cheered when Team Japan was at the plate.

Yet, unlike the atmosphere in Miami against the Dominican Republic that unraveled Roark, it was as if he fed off the energy on this night.

Roark, who had pitched only 1 1/3 innings in the WBC, cruised on this night, pitching five shout innings in what he called the biggest game of his career.

“It's usually the team that pitches the best normally has the best shot of winning,’’ Leyland said. “It's very rare that you outslug anybody. You don't do it for a whole season. Once in a great, great while, maybe.

“But for the most part, it's about the pitching, catching the ball, throwing it to the right base, just playing basic baseball.

“There is nothing tricky about it.’’ </s> LOS ANGELES -- The eagle has landed on top.

The United States routed Puerto Rico 8-0 on Wednesday night to win its first World Baseball Classic title in four tries behind six hitless innings from Marcus Stroman.

The Americans planted their eagle statue mascot on the mound in celebration, a blue cap jauntily hanging from one of its large wings.

"It's a different feeling when the 'USA' is on your chest," first baseman Eric Hosmer said. "We wanted to get the U.S. back on top of the baseball world, and we did that."

For a sport known as America's pastime, the U.S. had struggled since the WBC began in 2006. The Americans twice lost in the second round, and they went out in the semifinals in 2009.

This time was different.

"These guys were here to do their best," Team USA general manager Joe Torre said. "The thing I marveled at was how quickly they came together, and [manager] Jimmy [Leyland] deserves a lot of that credit. They're just a great group who understood what this event is all about."

Accepting the gleaming silver trophy from Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, Leyland told the crowd, "This is for the men and women who serve our country."

After the final out, the Americans massed on the mound, hugging and high-fiving one another while fireworks exploded in center field. Some of them grabbed a U.S. flag and circled the warning track, waving it in celebration with fans in the stands.

"There was only one thing on our mind, was to win this thing and to do whatever we can to win," left fielder Christian Yelich said. "That helped us come together."

Puerto Rico's fans saluted their team with a standing ovation, and the players responded by clapping.

"The satisfaction is huge," manager Edwin Rodriguez said. "It has filled our hearts."

Ian Kinsler hit a two-run homer in the third inning to give the United States an early lead in Wednesday night's World Baseball Classic championship game. Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images

Puerto Rico lost for the first time in eight WBC games after outscoring the opposition 55-26. The U.S. territory finished runner-up for the second time, having lost to the Dominican Republic in the 2013 final.

"They're loaded with All-Star players. They outpitched us. They outscored us. They outhit us," Rodriguez said. "We came here to win the championship, but with a record of 7-1, we feel satisfied, pleased with what we were able to achieve."

Tournament MVP Stroman avenged his shakiness in the Americans' 6-5 loss to Puerto Rico during pool play. The right-hander from the Toronto Blue Jays gave up one hit in six-plus innings, struck out three and walked one on 73 pitches.

"I love pitching in these moments," he said. "I love the atmosphere. I feel like the bigger the game, the more I'm able to get up, the more effective I am."

Stroman allowed just three balls past the infield until Angel Pagan's double in the left-field corner leading off the seventh. Afterward, Stroman departed to a standing ovation, having staked the Americans to a 7-0 lead with the help of Ian Kinsler's two-run homer.

In 2013, Stroman tweeted that he was going to play for Puerto Rico, where his mother was born. Instead, he wore the red, white and blue of the U.S.

"It was an unbelievable experience," he said, "and I'll be back in four years to defend the title."

For the tournament, Stroman allowed 12 hits and four runs in 15 1/3 innings, with a 2.35 ERA, nine strikeouts and two walks.

"Marcus set the tone right off the bat and just was dealing," Yelich said, "and we kind of fed off that and we were just rolling ever since."

Stroman walked Carlos Beltran to lead off the second, but the defense helped him out. Yadier Molina hit the ball to shortstop Brandon Crawford, who started a double play. Stroman struck out Javier Baez to end the inning.

The U.S. pounded out 13 hits and finished with a 6-2 record while making the final for the first time in front of 51,565 at Dodger Stadium.

Kinsler homered off an 0-1 pitch from Seth Lugo into left-center field in the third, scoring Jonathan Lucroy, who singled leading off.

Lugo of the New York Mets allowed four runs and five hits, struck out seven and walked four in four innings.

The right-hander won his first two starts of the tournament, including in the second round against Stroman and the U.S.

During that game on Friday, Stroman gave up six consecutive singles in a four-run first inning and took the loss in San Diego.

The Americans made it 4-0 in the fifth Wednesday on RBI singles by Yelich and Andrew McCutchen.

Fans wore flags of both countries as capes and decorated their faces in team colors. Puerto Rico boosters pounded cowbells, tooted horns and blew whistles early on, before their team fell behind 4-0.

American fans were on their feet chanting "U-S-A" when their team loaded the bases in the seventh with two outs. They were rewarded with Crawford's two-run single that chased J.C. Romero, extending the lead to 6-0.

The U.S. tacked on another run on Giancarlo Stanton's RBI single off Hiram Burgos that got past diving shortstop Francisco Lindor.

The Americans defeated two-time champion Japan in the semifinals, while Puerto Rico beat the Netherlands to reach the championship game.

The three WBC games at Dodger Stadium drew 109,892. </s> The 2017 World Baseball Classic championship game is an all-American affair as Team USA takes on Puerto Rico Wednesday night in Los Angeles.

Puerto Rico advanced to the championship by defeating the Netherlands, 4-3, in 11 innings Monday, and the United States reached the final by defeating Japan, 2-1, on Tuesday.

Here's what you need to know about Wednesday's winner-take-all game in L.A.

What time is the United States vs. Puerto Rico final in the 2017 World Baseball Classic?

Team USA and Puerto Rico play at 9 p.m. ET Wednesday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

How can I watch or stream United States-Puerto Rico final in the 2017 World Baseball Classic?

The Team USA-Puerto Rico game is on MLB Network and streaming on MLB.tv.

Who is the home team in the United States-Puerto Rico final in the 2017 World Baseball Classic?

Though the game is being played in Los Angeles, Puerto Rico will be the home team by virtue of winning a coin toss.

Who are the starting pitchers in the United States-Puerto Rico final in the 2017 World Baseball Classic?

The United States will send Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman to the mound, and Puerto Rico will start Mets right-hander Seth Lugo. The two faced off Friday in championship-round pool play, with Puerto Rico winning, 6-5. </s> The World Baseball Classic championship will be staying in the Western Hemisphere as the United States and Puerto Rico meet in the championship game at Dodger Stadium.

Both squads are seeking their first gold medal in the competition. The U.S. is in the final for the first time; Puerto Rico is in for the second consecutive time. It lost to the Dominican Republic in the 2013 final.

MORE: Eric Byrnes rips players, owners over U.S. reluctance to participate

Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman will start for the U.S.; Mets right-hander Seth Lugo will take the mound for Puerto Rico. Lugo pitched against the U.S. earlier in the tournament, on March 17. He allowed three runs over 5 2/3 innings, including a solo home run by Buster Posey.

Sporting News will have live updates of the 2017 World Baseball Classic final between the United States and Puerto Rico.

9 p.m.: Not only is Lugo pitching for Puerto Rican baseball glory, he's also pitching for a job. He's behind Robert Gsellman for the No. 5 spot in the Mets' loaded rotation. His work in the WBC has kept him in the discussion for at least a long relief role. Mets manager Terry Collins and pitching coach Dan Warthen noticed how well Lugo handled Venezuela's lineup in his first start in the tournament. Lugo will be able to throw the maximum 95 pitches tonight, so he could get very deep into the game if he's dealing. </s> iStock/Thinkstock(LOS ANGELES) — The United States is headed to its very first World Baseball Classic championship game.

Team USA defeated Japan 2-1 on Tuesday to advance to the final. They will now face Puerto Rico, who remains undefeated in the tournament.

The winner-take-all game will take place Wednesday night at Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium. </s> SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) -- Keitaro Miyahara smacked a leadoff home run to left-center, capping a nine-pitch at-bat, as Japan beat Mexico 5-0 on Saturday to claim a spot in the Little League World Series championship.

Mexico unraveled after Miyahara's game-opening homer, giving up three more runs in the first.

Japan loaded the bases thanks to a dropped third strike, a throwing error by pitcher Jorge Garcia and a walk before Yuya Nakajima grounded a two-run single through the left side. Another run scored on a wild pitch before Garcia escaped further trouble.

By that time, he had thrown 39 pitches. Little Leaguers are only allowed to throw 85 in a game.

If Japan wins the tournament title on Sunday, it will be the country's fifth championship in eight years and 11th overall.

Tokyo Kitasuna, the club representing Japan this year, has won the championship three times before, most recently in 2015 when it was guided by Junnji Hidaka, who also is this season's manager.

Japan will play Sunday against the winner of the U.S. championship, between Greenville, North Carolina, and Lufkin, Texas.

Japan pitcher Riku Goto tossed 5 2/3 shutout innings and struck out 13, which was the most for a pitcher in a game this tournament. Miyahara relieved Goto to get the final out.

Goto helped his own cause in the fifth inning, knocking in a run on a line drive single to center.

Saturday's shutout was Japan's third in four tournament games.

MR. OCTOBER FALTERS IN AUGUST: Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder Reggie Jackson threw out the first pitch before Saturday's international contest. It wasn't pretty. Jackson wound up and bounced the ball a few feet in front of home plate.

BIG BAT: Miyahara, who is now 6 for 12 in the tournament, slipped coming out of the box before sprinting around the bases after hitting his homer. He gave a little fist pump rounding third before being greeted by his happy teammates at the plate.

Matt Martell is a journalism student at Penn State. Penn State is partnering with The Associated Press to supplement coverage of the 2017 Little League World Series. </s> Marcus Stroman and his family are facing abuse over a simple change of heart.

Stroman on Tuesday revealed to FOX Sports that Puerto Rico baseball fans have been harassing his mother on social media because he chose to represent the United States instead of Puerto Rico at the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

“I know a lot of people have been saying bad things to her, going through the process, on social media,” Stroman told FOX Sports. “That’s my mother. I stand by her always. She supports me through everything. I don’t respect some of the comments that were made toward my mother.”

Stroman’s mother is from Puerto Rico, but he’s from Medford, N.Y. Nevertheless, he indicated in 2013 he’d like to pitch for Puerto Rico at the World Baseball Classic.

However, he decided in December to pitch for Team USA.

Puerto Rico fans targeted Stroman’s mother for abuse last week when he took the mound for the U.S. against Puerto Rico in a Pool F game. Naturally, he defended her.

Stroman will start Wednesday’s World Baseball Classic final between the U.S. and Puerto Rico. And he’ll be representing both sides, regardless of how some fans feel about the choices he makes.
In the final, the United States defeats Puerto Rico 8–0 to claim its first title in the event. Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman, who threw six hitless innings in the final for Team USA, is named tournament MVP.