Masterful pitching, timely hitting lead Japan past Venezuela

World No. 1 Japan defeated No. 5 Venezuela, 5-1, to improve to 2-1 in the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2024 Super Round on Thursday. Starting pitcher Koki Taniwaki and his relievers Kento Matsuda and Yuto Hayashida limited Venezuela to a pair of hits. Japan took control of the game in the bottom of the third and cruised to win.

Venezuela's righty Brayan Medina walked himself into trouble in the bottom of the first. He got out of the jam, striking out Takanori Takahashi and Kanta Aida to end the inning.

Venezuela got to Japanese starter Koki Taniwaki and took the lead in the top of the second. Pedro Martinez reached on an infield single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Right fielder Cesar Idrogo looked at two strikes and drove the third pitch through the right side for an RBI single.

Kaito Oshikawa reached on a two-out single in the bottom of the second, recording the first Japanese hit. He stole second and advanced as the ball got away from catcher Giovanny Rivero. Medina got out of the inning on a groundout.

Japan tied the game with one out in the bottom of the third. Right-fielder Yuichiro Murakami homered to left field on Medina's fifth offering.

The Venezuelan starter walked Taishi Noguchi, who stole second on the first pitch on Shinnosuke Nishimura. The Japanese centre fielder eventually became the second out on strikes, but Kanta Aiba doubled on a deep fly to the gap in right centre to give Japan the lead and end Medina's game. Venezuela handed the ball to Cristian Fermin to get the third out.

Japan extended the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Ryo Arima reached on an infield single and advanced to second on an error. Kaito Yoshikawa scored him when he doubled with a full count. He scored from second when Takuya Yamada doubled to left field after an eight-pitch duel.

Leonardo Lugo took the mound for Venezuela with Yamada at second and no outs. Lugo walked the first batter he faced but got Murakami to ground into a double play with his first offering. Yamada advanced to third on the play.

Lugo hit two batters and walked one, allowing Japan the fifth run and bringing José Guzman into the game. The right-hander ended the threat on a comebacker.

Kento Matsuda and Yuto Hayashida threw back-to-back perfect innings to end the game.

Japan will face No. 17 Nicaragua at 14:30 (local time) on Friday, September 13. The teams are tied at 2-1 and the match may prove crucial for the medal round. Venezuela (1-2) will face No. 24 China at 19:00 (local time).