TOKYO -- Japan won its third World Baseball Classic on Wednesday, beating the U.S. 3-2 for its first title since winning the second WBC tournament in 2009.
In the top of the second inning, Japanese starter Shota Imanaga gave up a solo home run to Trea Turner, but Munetaka Murakami answered with one of his own in the bottom of the frame. Japan tacked on another run in the inning off an infield single by Lars Nootbaar that scored Kazuma Okamoto from third.
