Japan players celebrate after the award ceremony following the Asia Professional Baseball Championship Final between South Korea and Japan at Tokyo Dome on November 19, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Gene Wang/Getty Images)
Japan won its second Asia Professional Baseball Championship to beat South Korea in 10 innings 4-3 with a game-winning single from second baseman Makoto Kadowaki.
Kadowaki was named the MVP of the four-day 2023 APBC.
Japan won their second international senior event of 2023, as they won the 2023 World Baseball Classic back in March, beating the United States 3-2 in the championship game at loanDepot Park in Miami.
Japan won the bronze at the 19th Asian Games back in early October and beat China 4-3 at Shaoxing Baseball and Softball Sports Culture Center in Hangzhou, China.
In the top of the third inning, South Korea got on the board first when first baseman Si-hwan Roh roped a two-run single into left center field and second baseman Hye-sung Kim and third baseman Do-yeong Kim came in to score to make it 2-0.
During the top of the fifth inning, Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata pulled starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai , who threw four innings with 77 facing 20 batters allowing one earned run, five hits, two walks, and four strikeouts during Sunday’s win.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Japan got on the board when first baseman Shugo Maki launched a solo home run over the left field wall to make it 2-1.
South Korea starting pitcher Gwak Been threw five innings with 88 pitchers facing 23 batters allowing one earned run, five hits, six walks and eight strikeouts.
During the bottom of the sixth inning, Japan tied the game at two when third baseman Teruaki Sato lifted a sacrifice fly to center field and right fielder Chusei Mannami came in to even the score 2-2.
Japan’s bullpen halted the South Korea offense before the start of the top of the 10th inning by allowing three hits, no earned runs, no walks, and five strikeouts.
South Korea’s bullpen went into extra innings allowing one earned run, two hits, one walk and two strikeouts.
In the top of the 10th inning, South Korea started with Kim on second base and center fielder Ji-hoon Choi on first to begin the inning. Japan went to their bullpen, sending Kojiro Yoshimura in the game to replace Reito Taguchi.
The second batter of the inning, right fielder Dong-hee Yoon, ripped a single to center field scoring Kim to give South Korea a 3-2 lead.
During the bottom of the 10th inning, South Korea went to their bullpen, putting Hae-young Jeong into the game to replace reliever Ji-hyun Choi.