Miu Goto almost perfect as Japan sweeps Group B of The World Games

Miu Goto was two outs away from perfection today in Japan’s win over Puerto Rico, 6-0, to close Group B at The World Games. With this win, Japan wins Group B undefeated and advances to the semifinal.

Goto was in control today. She had a perfect game bid until the seventh inning, when Carsyn Gordon lined a double to center field. She struck out 11 of the 22 batters faced, with 1 hit and no walks.

Japan scored one in the third with an RBI single by Kyoko Ishikawa, and rallied for four runs in the sixth, with a 2-RBI triple by Hitomi Kawabata and a 2-run bomb by Minori Naito. The final run was scored in the sixth by Ayane Nakagawa in a passed ball.

Esperanza Coe got the lost in a six-inning outing, allowing 7 hits, and 5 runs, with 4 strikeouts.

With this result, Japan clinches the first place in Group B with perfect record and Australia (2-1) advances to the semi finals as second place. Puerto Rico (1-2) and Mexico (0-3) will play for the fifth place.