LOS ANGELES — The United States will meet Puerto Rico for the World Baseball Classic championship, as the U.S. edged Japan, 2-1, at Dodger Stadium in the second semi-final.
Japan’s Ryosuke Kikuchi’s solo home run in bottom of the 6th inning tied the game 1-1, before an RBI-groundout by Adam Jones in the top of the 8th inning put the U.S. back on top indefinitely.
U.S. pitcher Sam Dyson was credited with the win, while Luke Gregerson earned the save with a scoreless ninth.
Japan exits the global tournament with a record of 6-1.
All-Americas Finale
Puerto Rico (7-0) and the U.S. (5-2) will be looking to win their first-ever World Baseball Classic title.
The two nations met in the second round with Puerto Rico winning, 6-5.
Seth Lugo and Marcus Stroman are the scheduled starting pitchers.
