![Japan, the ‘world’s strongest’, defeats Venezuela thanks to Maki’s grand slam in the final! 26 consecutive wins in international competitions + green light for finals [프리미어12]](https://i0.wp.com/pimg.mk.co.kr/news/cms/202411/22/news-p.v1.20241122.c2ea6138a1de4ee9a181242b7a67392a_P1.jpg?fit=%2C&ssl=1 "Japan, the ‘world’s strongest’, defeats Venezuela thanks to Maki’s grand slam in the final! 26 consecutive wins in international competitions + green light for finals [프리미어12]")
Japanese baseball has won 26 consecutive international competitions and is one step closer to advancing to the 2024 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Premier 12 finals.
The Japan national baseball team, led by coach Hirokazu Ibata, won 9-6 over Venezuela, coached by Omar Lopez, in the second game of the Super Round held at Tokyo Dome in Japan on the 22nd.
As a result, Japan recorded 2 wins and 0 losses in the super round, increasing its chances of advancing to the finals. Japan, which was in Group B in this tournament, defeated Australia 9-3 and also defeated South Korea, led by coach Ryu Joong-il, 6-3.
news/cms/202411/22/news-p.v1.20241122.9f085ee9c04f4ebaa1e3633c29f41971_R.jpg" data-width="640" data-height="427" /> Enlarge photo Shugo Maki. Photo=AFPBBNews=News1 
news/cms/202411/22/news-p.v1.20241122.c2ea6138a1de4ee9a181242b7a67392a_R.jpg" data-width="640" data-height="568" /> Enlarge photo Japanese team. Photo = Yonhap News
Japan’s upward trend continued. They beat Taiwan, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic 3-1, 7-6, and 11-3, respectively, recording 5 wins and undefeated, and advanced to the Super Round as first place in Group B. Afterwards, they defeated the United States, second place in Group A (3 wins, 2 losses), 9-1 the previous day (21st), and also won the game against Venezuela, giving them the green light to advance to the finals. In addition, Japan extended its record of winning streak in international competitions to 26.
On the other hand, Venezuela, which advanced to the super round as first place in Group A (4 wins, 1 loss), suffered a slowdown. They defeated Taiwan 2-0 in the first game of the super round, but could not maintain the momentum.
In addition to pitcher Hiroto Saiki, Japan has Masayuki Kuwahara (left fielder) – Kaito Kozono (second baseman) – Ryosuke Tatsumi (center fielder) – Shota Morishita (right fielder) – Ryoya Kurihara (third baseman) – Shugo Maki (first baseman) – The starting list includes Sosuke Genda (shortstop), Keita Sano (designated hitter), and Shogo Sakakura (catcher). I packed it.
In response, Venezuela had Alexi Amarista (second baseman) – Carlos Perez (first baseman) – Erlis Rodriguez (center fielder) – Carlos Perez (designated hitter) – Ramon Flores (right fielder) – Jermaine Palacios (third baseman) – Angel Reyes ( The batting lineup consisted of left fielder) – Francisco Arcia (catcher) – Diego Castillo (shortstop). The starting pitcher is Ricardo Pinto, who had 6 wins, 15 losses, and an average ERA of 6.17 for the SK Wyverns (now SSG Landers) in the KBO League in the 2020 season.
Japan pushed Venezuela fiercely from the beginning of the game. With one out in the bottom of the first inning, Gojono opened the game with a double in the middle, and Tatsumi and Morishita each hit a timely double with a 1-RBI lead to left and a timely hit in the middle with 1 RBI. With the bases loaded and one out following a walk by Kurihara and Maki, Genda’s batted ball was added to the opposing fielder’s choice, and the runner on third base hit home.
news/cms/202411/22/news-p.v1.20241122.82e0f090c68d48258910d89d3e3d6415_R.jpg" data-width="640" data-height="427" /> Enlarge photo Shota Morishita. Photo=AFPBBNews=News1
Venezuela did not just sit back and watch. Flores walked in the top of the second inning. Palacios then turned to left field, but Reyes fired a two-run gun that went over the center wall.
Japan, who was looking for an opportunity, faced a golden opportunity in the bottom of the third inning. Kurihara’s double to left, Sano’s infield hit, and Sakakura’s bases loaded completed the game with two outs. However, Kuwahara clearly failed to escape as he retired with a fly to right field.
Venezuela, having overcome the crisis of conceding runs, succeeded in coming back in the top of the sixth inning. After one out, Rodriguez opened the scoring with a single to left, and Perez drew a two-run arch to left. With Flores’ ground ball to third base, Palacios’ walk, and Reyes’ hit to left, Arcia hit a timely hit to right with 2 outs and 2 outs.
However, Japan was not easy. The bottom of the 6th inning was decorated with a big inning, turning the game around in an instant. Sakakura’s solo shot in the middle of the right wing, which came after one out, was the signal. With the bases loaded with two outs, led by Kuwahara’s fly to right field, Gojono’s walk, Tatsumi’s single to left, and Morishita’s walk, Kurihara got a push-out walk, and the follow-up batter, Maki, blasted a grand slam that went over the left field fence.
news/cms/202411/22/news-p.v1.20241122.4a6337d9c2d941488438f913d936f00c_R.jpg" data-width="640" data-height="427" /> Enlarge photo Shogo Sakakura. Photo=AFPBBNews=News1 
news/cms/202411/22/news-p.v1.20241122.f4bb02bf7ce944dc8b11eee50275f2ef_R.jpg" data-width="640" data-height="427" /> Enlarge photo Shugo Maki. Photo=AFPBBNews=News1
Venezuela, who was in a hurry, caught up by one run in the top of the 9th inning with Perez’s RBI single to left, but that was all. The game ended with Japan’s victory.
Japanese starting pitcher Saiki lasted 5 innings, allowing 2 hits, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts, and 2 runs. Then, Haruto Inoue (1 inning, 3 runs) – Suzuki Shota (0.2 innings, no runs) – Shimizu Tatsuya (0.1 inning, no runs) – Fujihira Shoma (1 inning, no runs) – Ota Taisei (1 inning, 1 run) took the mound. The performance of the batting line, where all starting batters recorded hits, also shined. Among them, Maki (2 hits in 4 at bats, 1 home run, 4 RBI) stood out, while Tatsumi (3 hits in 4 at bats, 1 RBI) and Kurihara (1 hit in 3 at bats, 1 RBI) also supported the team.
Venezuela suffered from the poor performance of its pitching staff. Rodriguez (3 hits in 5 at-bats) and Perez (1 hit in 4 at-bats, 1 home run, 2 RBIs) did their best, but the shine faded due to the team’s loss.
news/cms/202411/22/news-p.v1.20241122.22812bedb4f345f6ac45ab87d2ff1cbc_R.jpg" data-width="640" data-height="426" /> Enlarge photo Hiroto Saiki. Photo=AFPBBNews=News1
[이한주 MK스포츠 기자]
Considering the thrilling back-and-forth nature of the game, do you think either team made any significant tactical errors that ultimately cost them the victory?
This article covers a thrilling baseball game between Japan and Venezuela in a major international tournament. Here are some open-ended questions divided into thematic sections to encourage discussion and explore different viewpoints:
**Game Recap & Turning Points:**
* **The game was a rollercoaster of emotions. Which moments stand out to you as critical turning points, and why?** (This allows discussion of specific plays, inning changes, or strategic decisions)
* **Japan’s grand slam in the 6th inning seemed pivotal. Do you think Venezuela could have done anything differently to prevent that? Or was it simply a case of Japan’s hot bats?** (Encourages analysis of both teams’ performance and potential alternative strategies)
* **Venezuela clawed their way back in the ninth, but ultimately fell short. What do you think were the causes of their final loss?** (Prompts reflection on Venezuela’s performance and contributing factors to the outcome)
**Player Performances & Impact:**
* **Shugo Maki’s grand slam was incredibly impactful. What qualities do you think make him such a valuable asset to the Japanese team?** (Focuses on specific player contributions and their importance within the team dynamic)
* **Ricardo Pinto, Venezuela’s starting pitcher, had a difficult outing. What challenges might a pitcher face when transitioning from KBO to an international tournament?** (Encourages broader reflection on the nuances of pitching across different leagues and environments)
* **Outside individual players, what aspects of each team’s overall game strategy seemed most effective or ineffective?** (Prompts a deeper analysis of team tactics and their impact on the game)
**Significance of the Game & Looking Ahead:**
* **How do you think this victory will impact Japan’s momentum in the tournament?** (Discusses the broader tournament context and potential implications of the win)
* **Venezuela showed resilience despite the loss. What lessons can they learn from this game to improve in future matches?** (Encourages a positive and constructive outlook on Venezuela’s future performance)
* **International baseball tournaments like this highlight the global passion for the sport. What do you think are some of the key benefits of these events?** (Broadens the conversation beyond the specific game to discuss the wider significance of international competition)
These questions are intentionally open-ended to spark conversation, debate, and diverse perspectives. By exploring these thematic sections, participants can delve deeper into the nuances of the game, appreciate the individual and team performances, and understand the broader context of international baseball.
