Japan defeated Mexico 6-5 on Monday night to advance to the 2023 World Baseball Classic finals. In Tuesday’s championship, Japan will now play the United States, who blew out Cuba in the other semifinal on Sunday. Japan is the only multi-time champion in WBC history, but the United States could join them with a win.
Japan starter Roki Sasaki and Mexico starter Patrick Sandoval traded zeroes through the first three innings. It wasn’t until the fourth that someone scored, with that coming on a three-run home run by Mexico’s Luis Urías.