USA's Trea Turner, Japan's Munetaka Murakami trade mammoth homers to electrify start of WBC final: 'F— locked in'

David Suggs

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USA's Trea Turner, Japan's Munetaka Murakami trade mammoth homers to electrify start of WBC final: 'F— locked in' image

Trea Turner is locked in. He's not the only one, though.

Still, the newly-minted $300 million man has been a man on a mission in the World Baseball Classic, outshining his All-Star-caliber teammates to make a case for WBC MVP. The Phillies shortstop delivered his fourth home run in three games, this time to break USA's deadlock with Japan in the WBC final.

Turner's dinger shared a great many similarities with the other ones he's hit thus far. Namely, he calmly deposited the ball into left field with that languid one-handed swing.

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Turner wasn't the only one reveling in delirium after his big swing. In fact, USA manager Mark DeRosa grinned in delight, appearing to tell anyone who could hear him "He's f— locked in."

That might just be the understatement of the tournament. 

With his second-inning blast, Turner nabbed his fifth homer of the competition. That levels him with Seung-Yuop Lee for most blasts in a single tourney. Given the way he's seeing the ball, it wouldn't be surprising to see him add to the total.

Turner's homer was nice. But Japan rallied back in the bottom of the second on the inning's first pitch. Semifinals hero Munetaka Murakami belted a belt-high fastball to deep center field to knot things up at one.

As heard on Japanese TV call: 

Viewed as a prospect with Ruthian-type power, Murakami pulverized Kelly's pitch. It subsequently landed in the second deck of the bleachers, well over 400 feet from home plate.

The long ball is back, baby. Long may it continue.

Japan leads 2-1 at the end of two. 

Follow all the action HERE.

 

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.