‘Down to the wire’: Japan edges out Venezuela, 2-1, through tight defensive battle

A closer look at Japan's tight 2-1 win over Venezuela Monday at Volunteer Stadium.

PLAY OF THE GAME -- Nerves of steel: With a full count, two outs and runners on corners, the pressure was on Japan starting pitcher Kanta Iwashita to close out the team's toughest inning since the third. But with nerves of steel, he delivered the biggest strikeout of the game, catching José Pérez looking on a fastball right down the middle. That was the best chance Venezuela would get to tie it after Japan took its 2-1 lead.

JAPAN PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Kanta Iwashita, P: After kicking the series off on a high note against Puerto Rico, Japan ace pitcher Kanta Iwashita took on his toughest challenge so far in the fiery bats of Venezuela. His response was another gem, as he struck out a series-high 11 batters and allowed just one run on five hits and a walk. More importantly, he gave up the reigns with just two outs remaining for his team to pull off the win and ultimately, secured the game-winning run in the fifth as well.

TEAM B PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Simón Vicheria, EH: With two outs in the third inning and the team nearing the bottom of the order, it seemed like another strong start to an inning was going to fall flat. But Vicheria stepped up to the plate and delivered a well-placed grounder down the left field line, batting José Pérez in to tie the game. Even the bottom of the order can make huge plays here at the Little League World Series.

BIG INNING -- Japan's fifth: After Venezuela knotted the game up at 1-1 in the bottom of the third, neither team tipped the scale in the fourth, with anticipation building for who would be the next team to alter to scoreboard. And after a hit batter and a walk quickly gave Japan two runners in the top of the fifth, the team capitalized. A wild pitch allowed the pair – Kanta Iwashita and Sho Tanaka – to advance into scoring position. Then, another allowed Iwashita to make it home, giving his team its second lead of the tight contest.

On the defensive end, things got dicey, as Venezuela acquired corners with two outs on the board and José Perez – who already had a hit on the day – up to bat. But having already struck out two batters in the inning, Iwashita posted another to keep Venezuela off the board. He also went into the sixth with 84 pitches, allowing him to face one more batter before he hit the limit. He added another K there.

BEST EFFORT -- Pitchers' poise: Though he needed just two outs to secure the win for Japan, closing pitcher Yuki Tsuji entered the game facing a lot of pressure to finish the job. But even as the rain began to fall, he remained composed and focused on the task at hand, striking out one batter, shaking off a hit and striking out another to finish the job.

FLASHING LEATHER -- ‘Gotcha’: On two separate occasions, Venezuela kept Japan from acquiring another run by way of third-to-home chase down – first in the second inning and second in the first.

In the second, Catcher Jesús Diaz and third baseman José Pérez caught Japan's Sho Tanaka in a trap, keeping their composure when he ultimately chose to bolt for home. Then, in the fifth, Diaz noticed the Japan runner cheating up and he and relieving pitcher got to work chase him down, with Pérez there if they needed him. In both cases, the team was trailing and couldn't afford to surrender any more momentum.

WHAT THE ADULTS SAY -- "I thought it was going to be a tough game, so that's why I'm so glad," said Japan manager Seiichi Fujimoto on the win.

WHAT THE KIDS SAY -- On making an impact today:

"Sometimes we do that in close games," said Japan shortstop Yuzuki Ozawa, who batted in Taiyo Honryo with a double in the second inning. "We (were) nervous but everyone believes in themselves. It was a good game."

"I thought it would be a tough game so I'm glad to be a good pitcher," said Kanta Iwashita through an interpreter.

"I was so nervous, but our teammates cheered for us and were like out motivation," said third baseman Taiyo Honryo.

WHAT IT MEANS -- Japan remains in the winner's bracket, and will take on the winner of Chinese Taipei and Cuba on Wednesday for a spot in the international final. Venezuela is set to face off against Aruba Tuesday at 1 p.m., with each team looking to keep its series run alive.