Munetaka Murakami knocked out a bye hit in the bottom of the 9th inning, helping the Japanese team reverse and defeat Mexico and successfully advance to the championship game.

(AFP)

[Sports Center/Comprehensive Report] The Japanese heavyweight Munetaka Murakami, who had a sluggish performance in this classic, played against Mexico in the top 4 of the classic today. He swallowed 3K in the first 4 bats, but he took the pressure in the second half of the 9th inning and hit a bye hit , Helped the team reverse Mexico 6:5 and advance to the championship game.

After the game, Sotaka Murakami confided in his heart and attributed the credit to the team, "It's really great to be able to repay something."

Munetaka Murakami, who scored 56 home runs in a single season last year and won the Central League Hitting Triple Crown, fell into a low ebb in this classic game. He only knocked out 2 hits in 14 at-bats in the first 4 games, and his batting average was only 143.8. The strong game against Italy was transferred to the 5th bat, and the batting feeling seemed to recover, with 2 hits in 3 at-bats, 1 RBI and 3 runs back.

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However, Munetaka Murakami played against Mexico in the semi-finals today, and his offense did not improve. The first 3 at-bats all swallowed a strikeout. Pick up and kill.

The Japanese team launched a Jedi counterattack in the 9th inning. Shohei Otani hit a double hit in the center field to ignite the offensive. He rewarded Masaka Yoshida with a 3-point shot. , "Village God" was finally revived at this time, aiming at a 151-kilometer speedball on the high side of Mexican finisher Giovanny Gallegos, swept out the low tide with one stick, and hit the middle field to help Japan win 6:5 Going to Mexico in anger, he advanced to the championship again after 14 years.

According to the official website of the major leagues, Munetaka Murakami's winning ball has an initial velocity of 111 miles (about 178.6 kilometers) and a flying distance of 400 feet.

Murakami Zonglong said in an interview after the game, "I was struck out several times before, and I didn't make any achievements. This made me regret it, but my teammates chased the score. Although I hit the goodbye hit, I think it is team unity. Consistent victories, it’s great to be rewarded.” Murakami also said that he will enjoy the game tomorrow and hope it will be the best championship game.

MUNETAKA MURAKAMI WINS IT FOR TEAM JAPAN!!! #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/LNROmpkkes

— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 21, 2023

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