Japan win regulation game against Great Britain

World No. 1 Japan earned their fourth consecutive win in the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2024, defeating Great Britain, 4-1 on Tuesday, in a regulation game.

Inclement weather delayed the start of the game. More rain caused a delay in the top of the fifth. The weather gave a break long enough for the completion of the upper part of the fifth, and then it was called a regulation game.

Japan was quick to take the lead. With one out and leadoff hitter Takuya Yamada at first, first baseman Ryo Imazato homered on the first offering from British starter Jacob Lambdin.

Great Britain got to Japanese starter Oga Nishimura in the bottom of the second. James Quinn-irons led off with a double and advanced to third on a groundout. He scored on a sacrifice fly by Michael Flaherty.

Japan added a run in the top of the fourth on reliever Samuel Hutchinson. Kota Takata and Kaito Yoshikawa reached on consecutive infield singles. Takata reached third on an error and scored on Shinnosuke Nishimura's RBI single.

Yusuke Taura led off the fifth with a single. He advanced when Kazuhiro Ura walked and reached third on a wild pitch. As Great Britain gave the call to Edward Taylor in the bullpen, the game was delayed by rain in the top of the fifth with runners at the corners and no outs.

When the game resumed after one hour, Taylor walked Imazato to load the bases. He got the first two out on strikes, then allowed another walk and the fourth Japanese run before getting out of the jam.

As the rain intensified, the game was delayed again and eventually called a regulation game.

Japan (4-1) finished second behind Puerto Rico (4-1, won the head-to-head) and will start the Super Round with a 1-1 record. Great Britain will play in the Placement round, beginning with a 0-2 record.