Japan’s Asian Games baseball team, which had its hopes of reaching the final of the tournament dashed by a loss to South Korea, came from behind to defeat home team China for the bronze medal.캡틴토토
Japan defeated China 4-3 in the bronze medal game at 1 p.m. on Oct. 7 at Xiaoxing Baseball Stadium in Hangzhou, China.
Japan had been denied a spot in the final by a 0-2 loss to Korea in the Super Round on Friday. As a result, the loss to China in the group stage stung. Facing China again in the bronze medal game, Japan sent starting pitcher Makoto Hori to the mound to try to bounce back.
Japan, however, found themselves in a tight spot early on. In the bottom of the first inning, a single to right field with runners on second and third gave Japan an early lead.
Japan fought back in the top of the second inning, with runners on second and third, when Seifu Suzuki hit a two-run double to center field.
The Chinese, who had already caught Japan before, were not to be denied. Japan responded with a two-run homer in the bottom of the third to pull even.
After a scoreless seventh inning, Japan came close in the top of the eighth. In the top of the eighth, Japan tied the game at 3-3 when Ryuga Ihara singled with one out. A subsequent infield error allowed the winning run to score. With a 4-3 lead, Japan held on for a one-run victory in the bottom of the eighth and ninth innings to claim the bronze medal.
Meanwhile, China, who were bidding for their first Asian Games medal in front of a one-sided home crowd, squandered a golden opportunity in the top of the eighth inning. China will have to settle for a victory over Japan in the group stage.
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