Japan's Baseball Dream Ends in Quarterfinals

0:00This is Corey with Global News Today, powered by the Daily News Now. Japan's national baseball team suffered a stunning 8-5 quarter final loss to Venezuela in the world baseball classic, ending there. 11-game winning streak. Shohei Otani, baseball's top star, kept the defeat with an infield pop-up as the final out at Lone Depot Park in Miami. This marked a tough end for the team that has dominated international play. The game started with fireworks as Ronald Akuna Jr. homered right away for Venezuela. But Otani answered with one of his own in the bottom of the. First, Japan pulled ahead 5-2 on Shota Morishita's 3-run shot in the third, setting up what looked like a semi-final clash with Italy. Team mates stood shocked along the railing, watching Venezuela celebrate while Otani called it deeply disappointing. Fans, many rooting for the South Americans in the crowd of 34,548, erupted as their team rallied back. Venezuela exploded for 5 runs across the 5th through 8th innings, including homers by Mikel Garcia and Wilear Abrayu, plus a wild pick-off.

1:08Throw that score to another. Japan, without Ace Roki Sasaki and with Otani, limited to hitting due to elbow recovery, couldn't hold the lead. Manager Hirokazu Ibata noted they had no choice but to keep Otani from pitching mid-game. Despite Otani's strong tournament with a 462 average, 3 homers and 7 RBIs, Japan's batting dipped and pitching rows, compared to their title run three years ago. This episode is brought to you by our sponsor, See the episode description. No earbuds, no headbands, no awkward sleeping positions, just a pillow that plays your sound. S-O-L-I, solelypillow.com