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Premier12, Semi-Final: USA – Mexico 6-1
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Team USA has reached the final at the inaugural edition of the Premier12. They defeated Mexico 6-1 on Friday evening at the Tokyo Dome in the second semi-final to follow South Korea into the Gold Medal Game. South Korea had stunned host Samurai Japan with a 4-3 win in the first semi-final on Thursday.
After Humberto Sosa had put Mexico up in front with a solo home run in the top of the fourth, the United States answered with five runs in the bottom half of the same frame. All runs scored with two outs. Adam Frazier tied the game with a RBI single. Dan Rohlfing followed two batters later with a two-run double to give the US a 3-1 lead. Eliot Soto and Jacob May capped the rally with RBI singles. In the fifth Tyler Pastornicky added a sac fly for some insurance to finalize the score.
Zeke Spruill got the win, allowing just one run on four hits and two walks in five innings for the win. Seth Simmons and Jake Barrett closed it out with scoreless relief. Mark Serrano got charged with the loss. Mexico’s starting pitcher issued three hits, three runs and three walks in 3 2/3 innings.
The Gold Medal Game between the US and South Korea will be played on Saturday evening at 7pm local time, again at the Tokyo Dome in the Japanese capital. Earlier on the date the historic venue will host the Bronze Medal Game between Samurai Japan and Mexico.