Japan rallies late to beat Australia behind Masataka Yoshida HR

"Japan was kept in check throughout the game by Australian pitching until Yoshida got to Jon Kennedy, Australia's fifth pitcher of the night, with a homer to right field. Kennedy was the losing pitcher. The win went to Chihiro Sumida with a save for Taisei Ota."

"Japan added two insurance runs in the eighth. Ukyo Shuto scored on Teruaki Sato's double, and Sosuke Genda came in when Ky Hampton issued a walk with the bases loaded. Those runs were needed. Alex Hall pulled Australia closer with a home run in the ninth, and Rixon Wingrove hit another on the next at-bat to make it 4-3."

"Japan was already guaranteed of advancing to the quarterfinals, but the victory assured it of topping Pool C. Japan closes pool play Tuesday against Czechia. Australia can clinch the other quarterfinal spot from the pool if it defeats South Korea on Monday."

Japan rallied from a 1-0 deficit to defeat Australia 4-3 in World Baseball Classic play, with Masataka Yoshida delivering a crucial seventh-inning two-run homer off Jon Kennedy. Japan added insurance runs in the eighth inning before Australia mounted a late comeback with two ninth-inning home runs by Alex Hall and Rixon Wingrove. The victory guaranteed Japan the top seed in Pool C, advancing to the quarterfinals. Australia remains in contention for the other quarterfinal spot from the pool. Japan accumulated 12 walks despite recording only five hits, while Australian pitching kept Japan scoreless until Yoshida's decisive homer.

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