Team Mexico’s improbable ride in the World Baseball Classic has come to an end.
After advancing to the semifinals, Mexico came to within three outs of a trip to the championship game of the legendary MLB event.
However, Japan continued to rally and just wouldn’t go away, ultimately winning the game on Munetaka Murakami‘s walk-off double.
Two runs scored for Japan, and Mexico’s run came to an end.
However, that didn’t take away from what an amazing game it truly was.
Mexico’s manager Benji Gil certainly didn’t think so, and after his team’s devastating loss, he offered a classy response, praising Japan for their efforts but also recognizing how special the game was.
Japan and Mexico participated in an instant classic last night! #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/7vR47GedFj
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 21, 2023
The baseball world certainly won on Monday.
And it wasn’t because one side played better than the other.
It was simply because the game was so entertaining and full of twists and turns.
Mexico got things started, taking an early 3-0 lead on Luis Urias‘ three-run homer.
In the bottom of the seventh, Masataka Yoshida tied the game with a three-run shot of his own.
Mexico quickly regained the lead in the top of the eighth, scoring two runs on hits by Alex Verdugo and Isaac Paredes.
Japan tallied one in the bottom of the eighth to make it a 5-4 game.
Giovanny Gallegos was sent in to finish things off, but failed to record an out as Japan completed their jaw-dropping comeback.
So while it was a heartbreaking way for Mexico’s run to end, Gil had the perfect response and understood just how special the game was.
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