Japan shut out USA with masterful pitching, timely hitting

World No. 2 USA had 72 hits, an average of 12 per game, with 16 home runs before today. World No. 1 Japan limited them to a couple of singles on their way to a 7-0 win.

Only Nicholis Parker and Tyler Early hit safely against starter Osuke Minakawa, who struck out eight in 5.1 innings.

Daito Funayama needed only five pitches to get to USA starter Bowen Landry. He worked a 3-1 count and homered on a towering fly to the right.

Landry allowed back-to-back walks, then got the first two outs on strikes and walked the bases loaded. He struck out designated hitter Kenji Tachibana to get out of the inning.

Funayama stuck to his MVP-line performance in the top of the second, hitting an RBI double in the top of the second, forcing the US to relieve Landry with Julian Knudsen.

The newcomer could not stop the bleeding. He hit Kanade Abe to load the bases and allowed a two-RBI single to right fielder Masaya Yabuuchi.

Japan loaded the bases again for third baseman Ren Mitsui, who batted in the fifth run on a sacrifice fly to left field.

Tachibana stepped to the box with a runner on base and two outs in the top of the fifth. He worked the count full and hammered the sixth pitch over the left-field wall for a two-run homer. Knudsen left for Kingston George with USA trailing 7-0.

Osuke Minakava struck out right fielder Tyler Early to start the sixth. He left after walking first baseman Leyland Henry on four pitches.

Ren Mitsui took the mound for Japan. He retired the side in order to end the game.

Japan and USA are now tied behind undefeated Chinese Taipei with a 2-2 record. Japan will open the final day of the Super Round against the Dominican Republic, while USA will close it facing Chinese Taipei.