Japan defeated Brazil 5-3 on Saturday after a came from behind victory in their first game of the 2013 World Baseball Classic. To everybody's surprise, Brazil almost pulled a shocker, but Hirokazu Ibata came through in clutch situations for Japan late in the game.
Ibata was called to pinch-hit in the eighth inning as Japan trailed 3-2 in the latter stages of the game. He had Seiichi Uchikawa in scoring position and brought him in with a single to right field. This made the game 3-3.
Later on in the inning, Ibata scored on a force out which became the go-ahead run putting Japan up for good. They later added another run for extra cushion as Kazuhisa Makita recorded the save in the following inning.
For Brazil, it was a heartbreaker. It appeared as if they had this one in the bag. However, Oscar Nakaoski couldn't close the door and was charged with blowing the save for the Brazilians. Rafael Fernandes and Murilo Gouvea had combined for six innings of two run baseball before Nakaoski unraveled in the eighth.
Brazil led in most of the game responding to Japanese's offensive attacjs. They opened up the scoring in the first inning playing fundamental baseball. Paolo Orlando scored on a single to left field by, a player many consider the best in Brazil, third baseman Leonardo Reginatto.
Japan scored two runs and then Brazil eventually regained the lead in the fifth inning. After tying the game in the fourth, Orlando and Reginatto both combined to put Brazil on the board.
Next up for both squads from Pool A, Japan faces China on Sunday, while Brazil and Cuba link up Saturday night.
