Defending champions Japan were eliminated in the World Baseball Classic quarter-finals after losing 8-5 to Venezuela on Saturday (15 March) in Miami, their worst-ever finish at the tournament.
Reigning MVP Shohei Ohtani, who traded lead-off home runs with Ronald Acuna Jr in the first inning, was the last out of the game, flying out to short as Japan failed to answer six straight runs from Venezuela.
Belying the team’s traditional strengths of pitching and defense, the eight runs were the most Japan have ever given up in a single WBC game. Wilyer Abreu slugged a go-ahead three-run shot in the top of the sixth off reliever Hiromi Ito, winner of last season’s Sawamura Award, the Japanese version of the Cy Young.
It is the first time Venezuela have beaten Japan. Ohtani said for the three-time champions, it was championship or bust.
“All I can say is that it’s frustrating,” said the four-time MLB MVP, who tipped his hat to Venezuela’s performance. “It was a close game, a game where we had our chances. It’s not like they completely overwhelmed us. We had our moments to win but didn’t take them.
“It’s been a fantastic experience but anything other than a championship would have to be considered failure for us. Because that’s what everyone was working for - the manager, coaches, the staff.
“So it’s extremely disappointing for it to end this way. But there will be another, and I plan on working towards that.”
“They hit the fastballs really well,” said manager Hirokazu Ibata. “They’re a strong team. It’s not that we let up. They’re just a very good team.
“I hope we can build it back up from here and win it again next time.”
Venezuela will face Italy, who earlier beat Puerto Rico 8-6 to extend their magical run, in the semi-finals on Monday.
Italy’s four-run burst in the bottom of the fourth inning gave them an 8-2 lead and would prove decisive with Puerto Rico closing the gap in the eighth with four runs of their own. The surprise packages of this Classic, Italy still have yet to lose in five games at the competition.
After reaching the semis for the first time since 2009, the Venezuelans also won the second quota from the Americas in the next Olympic baseball tournament at LA28. They join hosts USA and the Dominican Republic, who secured the Americas's other quota a day earlier.
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