Miu Goto was two outs away from perfection today in Japan’s 6-0 win over Puerto Rico to close Group B of The World Games. With this win, undefeated Japan wins Group B and advances to the semifinal.
Goto was in control today. She had a perfect game bid until the seventh inning, when Carsyn Gordon lined a double to center field. She struck out 11 of the 22 batters faced, with 1 hit and no walks.
Japan scored one in the third with an RBI single by Kyoko Ishikawa, and rallied for four runs in the sixth, with a 2-RBI triple by Hitomi Kawabata and a 2-run home run by Minori Naito. The final run was scored in the sixth by Ayane Nakagawa via a passed ball.
Esperanza Coe took the loss in a six-inning outing, allowing 7 hits and 5 runs, registering 4 strikeouts.
With this result, undefeated Japan clinches first place in Group B and advances to the semifinals, along with second-place Australia (2-1). Puerto Rico (1-2) will compete in the placement round.