Japan beat United States 3-2 to win 2023 WBC

Shohei Ohtani of Japan reacts after the final out of the World Baseball Classic, defeating the United States 3-2 at LoanDepot Park on Tuesday in Miami, Florida. [AFP/YONHAP]

Japan beat the United States in the World Baseball Classic final on Tuesday, capitalizing on two home runs to lock in a narrow 3-2 victory at LoanDepot Park in Miami.

Munetaka Murakami and Shohei Ohtani delivered a solo homer apiece, with Lars Nootbar grounding out into an RBI for the only other run.

The United States also delivered two long balls, from the bats of Trea Turner and Klye Schwarber, but were unable to grind out that extra run to stay in the game.

Japanese starter Shota Imanaga earned the win, with Ohtani taking the mound in the ninth inning to secure the save.

With the win, Japan remain the most successful team in the history of the World Baseball Classic, winning the tournament three of five times; in 2006, 2009 and 2023. Japan have also made it to the final four in all five tournaments, the only team ever to do so.

The win also highlights the continued dominance of Japanese pitching, which played a significant part in the team’s success throughout the tournament. That the team also had Ohtani, considered arguably the greatest double-threat ball player ever to ply his trade in the majors, only added to Japan’s already significant strength.

The United States failed to defend their 2017 title, but made it to the final for the second straight tournament.

While Korea failed to advance out of the group stage for a third straight tournament, there was one Korean who did make it all the way to the final.

Veteran umpire Park Jong-chul was one of two KBO umps called up by the World Baseball Softball Confederation for the WBC, alongside Park Ki-taik, and he was selected to umpire the left field during the final on Tuesday.

Lance Barksdale, John Tumpane and Quinn Wolcott from the MLB, Ramiro Alfaro from the Colombian Professional Baseball League and Edward Pinales from the Dominican League completed the umpire lineup.

Park Jong-chul was based in Miami throughout the WBC, serving as an umpire in Pool D games and the knockout stage. Park Ki-taik was posted to Taichung in Taiwan where he umpired Pool A games.

With the World Baseball Classic now finished, the focus will now shift back to domestic baseball leagues.

The 2023 MLB season will begin next week on March 30. The Nippon Professional Baseball season starts on the same day, with the KBO following a few days later on April 1.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]