Japan resist late USA comeback and stay undefeated

World No.1 Japan beat No. 2 USA 4-3 to remain the only undefeated team in Group B of the XXXI WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup.

Japan looked almost perfect for six innings and took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the seventh before the United States, the defending World Champions, got to their relievers and made it a one-run game. Kodai Mori struck out Derek Curiel to end the game on a full count with the potential tying run at second.

Japan got to left-hander Cooper Williams from the start with Ryusei Terachi singled on the second pitch of the game. Japan tried to move runners with the short ball, but with runners at first and second and two outs, they used a triple by designated hitter Haruto Morita to score the go-ahead runs.

Tegan Kuhns took the mound for the US in the top of the fifth. Japan loaded the bases with a walk and two singles and scored on a wild pitch.

Terachi hit a two-out deep double in the gap to left centre to score Koga Hashimoto from third and extend Japan's lead to 4-0 in the top of the sixth.

Yugo Maeda pitched a gem. He didn't allow a walk in 5.2 innings while striking out eight. When centre fielder Derek Curiel reached to him in the bottom of the sixth, his two-out double became USA's fourth hit. Maeda left for Kotaro Yasuda, who struck out Perry Morlando to end the inning.

Yasuda allowed a one-out walk in the bottom of the seventh, the first by Japanese pitchers in the last 14 innings. Second baseman Carter Johnson got to Yasuda's first pitch but found the glove of diving shortstop Mayaka Kobayashi for the second out.

Japan handed the ball to right-hander Yuto Kimura, who allowed a run on a wild pitch. Shortstop Manuelle Marin stepped to the plate, representing the potential tying run. He singled to centre field, cutting the gap to 4-2. Coy James followed with another RBI single, making it a one-run game.

Japan gave the call to right-hander Kodai Mori. Left-hander Derek Curiel worked the count full, then struck out swinging at a change-up.

Japan will play against world No. 6 Venezuela on Monday, while the US will face No. 11 Panama.