Ohtani followers Trout, Japan tops US 3-2 for WBC championship

MIAMI — Shohei Ohtani emerged from the bullpen and fanned Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the ultimate out in a matchup the entire baseball world needed to see, main Japan over the defending champion United States 3-2 Tuesday evening for its first World Baseball Basic title since 2009.

Ohtani, the two-way star who has captivated followers throughout two continents, beat out an infield single within the seventh inning as a chosen hitter, and walked down the left-field line to Japan’s bullpen to heat up for his third mound look of the event. He walked large league batting champion Jeff McNeil earlier than getting Mookie Betts to floor right into a double play.

Trout, the U.S. captain and a three-time MVP, then ended the sport by putting out on a full-count breaking ball.

Ohtani batted .435 with one homer, 4 doubles, eight RBIs and 10 walks as Japan joined the Dominican Republic in 2013 to grow to be the one unbeaten champions of baseball’s premier nationwide staff event. Ohtani was 2-0 with a save and a 1.86 ERA on the mound, putting out 11 in 9 2/3 innings. ___

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