A World Baseball Classic for the ages may have seen its most compelling ending yet.
Japan rallied from 3–0 and 5–3 deficits to stun Mexico, 6–5, in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic Monday night, setting up a showdown against the United States in the championship game.
Mexico grabbed an early lead when second baseman Luis Urías tagged 21-year-old Japan ace Roki Sasaki for a three-run home run in the top of the fourth at loanDepot Park. Pitcher Patrick Sandoval kept the Japanese juggernaut off the board, limiting Mexico to four hits and a walk over 4 1/3 innings.