WBSC alumni shine in MLB thriller as Chicago Cubs edge Oakland A's

The Chicago Cubs defeated the Oakland A's, 7-6, before 37,419 fans at Wrigley Field on Thursday, 4 June, in a Major League Baseball (MLB) game featuring standout performances from several WBSC alumni.

The matchup opened as a pitching duel between USA's J.T. Ginn, a WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2017 champion, and Japan's Shota Imanaga, who helped his nation win the WBSC Premier12 2019.

Ginn served as Team USA's closer during the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2017. After graduating from Brandon High School, the right-hander starred at Mississippi State University and transitioned into a starting role. The New York Mets selected him in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft before trading him to the Athletics in 2022. Ginn made his MLB debut on 21 August 2024.

Imanaga was already an established Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) All-Star when he led Japan to the Premier12 title in 2019. The left-hander had also competed in the Australian Baseball League (ABL) during the previous winter. After playing a key role in Japan's 2023 World Baseball Classic triumph and another All-Star campaign with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, Imanaga signed a four-year, US$53 million contract with the Cubs in January 2024.

Ginn dominated through the first six innings, allowing only two hits. His lone blemish came in the sixth when Pete Crow-Armstrong, who represented USA at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2019, connected for a solo home run.

The right hander was working with a 4-0 lead that his offence had built against Imanaga, powered by designated hitter Shea Langeliers, who hit a solo homer in the fourth inning before adding a two-run shot in the sixth.

Ginn exited after six innings with Oakland leading 4-1. Imanaga returned to the mound for the seventh but surrendered back-to-back solo home runs to Tyler Soderstrom, a member of USA at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2019, and catcher Jonah Heim. The Japanese left-hander departed with the Cubs trailing, 6-1.

Chicago's bullpen kept the game within reach. Trent Thornton and Ryan Rolison combined for three scoreless innings, with Thornton allowing one hit and two walks before Rolison pitched 1.2 perfect innings and earned the win.

Oakland's bullpen, meanwhile, could not protect the lead. Four relievers combined to allow nine hits, while Joel Kuhnel took the loss and Luis Medina was charged with a blown save.

The Cubs completed their comeback in dramatic fashion in the bottom of the ninth. Crow-Armstrong delivered the game-winning hit, driving in WBSC Premier12 2019 MVP Seiya Suzuki and sealing a 7-6 walk-off victory for Chicago.