On Monday night, Masataka Yoshida He didn't just tie the ballgame at a crucial moment for Japan; Bottom of the seventh inning, seven outs separated Mexico from victory and from surprising the Asian team, which had reached the championship round undefeated. The advantage for the "little hands" was 3-0. And that was the first time that those led by Hideki Kuriyama were seen so demanded during this World Classic.
However, the now Boston Red Sox left fielder found two teammates on base, and on a two-ball, two-strike count against JoJo Romero, he caught a changeup that stayed in the bottom of the strike zone. , and flew to deep right field and embedded in the foul pole, to spectacularly tie the match, and not only match it, as he set a new record for RBIs for his country in the World Classics, leaving behind Nobuhiro Matsuda (12).
In the same way, not only does he break the record for the most RBIs for his country, but he surpasses Wladimir Balentien (12, 2017) as the slugger with the most hits in a single edition of the nations event.
Leaving the bar high for his country
Likewise, the most remarkable thing about Masataka Yoshida's achievement is that it only took one edition of the Classic to leave behind his compatriot's record, while Matsuda chartered five and seven respectively in the 2013 and 2017 fairs. Therefore, there are probabilities of which Yoshida; That until 2022 he plays with the Orix Buffaloes, he can set the highest bar, that is if he decides to participate in more world tournaments.
However, Japan is recognized as a great factory of players for its team, and perhaps in three years someone can take his place, although it is true that he will have to earn it, since Yoshida will continue to be active and at a Major League level.
