Adam Jones delivered the game-wining RBI in the eighth inning as the US beat Japan 2-1 on Tuesday to reach their first World Baseball Classic final where they will face undefeated Puerto Rico.
The Americans reached the final by knocking off a Japanese team accustomed to success as they had a perfect 6-0 record this year and were looking to win their third title in just four tournaments.
The USA will need to beat another undefeated team Wednesday to claim their first WBC title as Puerto Rico steamrolled through their opposition in the first two rounds before eliminating the Netherlands 4-3 in 11 innings in the other semi-final on Monday.
After getting on the board first in the fourth on a rainy evening at Dodger Stadium, the US had to bide their time against a strong Japanese pitching staff until Jones was able to give them the lead by scoring Brandon Crawford from third base.
Crawford roared home when Japanese third baseman Nobuhiro Matsuda bobbled Jones’ hot shot and by the time he regained possession the only option left was to throw to first for the single out.
Japan’s lone run came off a 376-foot solo homer to right field by Ryosuke Kikuchi which tied the game 1-1 in the sixth.
Tuesday’s game was played for the most part in a steady rain that made for a soggy infield and cooler than normal southern California temperatures.
Japan had won both the 2006 and 2009 tournaments and finished third in 2013.
Tuesday’s game showcased players from the USA’s MLB against Japanese stars from the Nippon Professional League as just one of the Japan players, Norichika Aoki, plays in MLB.
Japanese starting pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano was stellar striking out six, allowing just one run and three hits in six innings of work.
US starter Tanner Roark pitched four innings, allowed one run on two hits and struck out just one batter.
Andrew McCutchen singled to left field to score the first run in the fourth inning. McCutchen drove in Christian Yelich, who reached second on a hit earlier in the inning.
Join GhanaStar.com to receive daily email alerts of breaking news in Ghana. GhanaStar.com is your source for all Ghana News. Get the latest Ghana news, breaking news, sports, politics, entertainment and more about Ghana, Africa and beyond.