Utsumi’s walk off sacrifice fly gives Japan dramatic win over Panama

World No. 1 Japan lost a four-run lead at Ed Smith Stadium before recovering and then battling back in the bottom of the seventh to clinch a dramatic 5-4 walk-off win against Panama in Sunday’s action at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup. Yuta Utsumi drove in the game's winning run with a sacrifice fly to center field.

After two scoreless innings, Japan rallied for four runs in the third, with RBI by Shion Matsuo, Yuta Utsumi and Yudai Ebine, to take control of the game.

However, in the fifth Panama started their comeback, with three hits and two runs to reduce the deficit to 4-2. And two innings later, the world No. 13 tied the game at 4-4 with a two-out single by Luis Escudero, which plated Joaquin Gamba and Pedro Catuy. Representing the go ahead run for Panama, Escudero reached third base with two outs, but Roger Lasso grounded to shortstop for the last out of the inning. 

With the game tied at four, Japan loaded the bases with an error, a walk and a hit by pitch, and one out later Yuta Utsumi rocketed a line drive to center field to bring in the game-winning run with a sacrifice fly.

For Japan, Haruto Yamada pitched the seventh inning, allowed two hits and two runs and earned the win after blowing the save. For Panama, Carlos Diaz was the losing pitcher.

Japan, who play Australia on Monday, remains the only undefeated team in Group B after three games, while Panama were playing their first game of the tournament and will play Italy on day four.