Japan defeated Mexico to advance to the World Baseball Classic final

Japan defeated Mexico 6-5 on Monday, advancing to the World Baseball Classic final against the United States. Munetaka Murakami drove in two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning as Japan rallied from a 5-4 deficit to advance to Tuesday's final against the United States in Miami. Japan is attempting to win a record third World Baseball Classic title, having previously won the tournament in 2006 and 2009. The Asian powerhouses have been the most consistent team in this year's tournament, averaging more than nine runs per game on their way to the semi-finals on Monday.