Baseball: Despite disappointing exit from WBC, Japan cherishes team spirit

Japan's players voiced their frustration following their 8-5 quarterfinal loss to Venezuela in the early hours of Sunday, but the disappointment was tempered by a sense of gratitude at being part of a tight-knit World Baseball Classic roster.Venezuela's come-from-behind win at Miami's loanDepot park ended Japan's title defense and its bid for a record-extending fourth WBC championship.Starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto was quick to take the blame despite leaving his team with a 5-2 lead at the end of his four innings.The Los Angeles Dodgers ace steadied the ship after giving up two runs in…READ FULL ARTICLE