TOKYO (AP) — Fiji stretched its Pacific Nations Cup rugby defense to the final after topping the United States by a hard-fought 22-3 on Saturday.
The U.S. started and finished well but wasn't clinical, while Fiji dominated the second and third quarters to put their first meeting in 10 years beyond doubt in a humid Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium.
Japan and Samoa meet in the second semifinal in the same stadium on Sunday to decide who plays Fiji in the final next weekend in Osaka.
Fiji moved up a gear after the water break midway through the first half. Flanker Meli Derenalagi was denied a try by Eagles No. 8 Thomas Tu'avao, but Fiji leveled with a penalty by the inventive Caleb Muntz.
Fiji forced an attacking lineout but the U.S. stole the throw-in. But Fiji tacklers backpedalled the U.S. and they blew the Americans off a tryline ruck for No. 8 Elia Canakaivala to score. Muntz's conversion made it 10-3 after an even first half.
The U.S. scrum was under pressure that wouldn't ease until the last quarter but its scrambling defense was keeping it in the game.
That was until wing Vuate Karawalevu slipped a tackle and two passes later Canakaivata swan-dived to his second try.
While captain and hooker Tevita Ikanivere was in the sin-bin for a dangerous clearout, teammate Ilaisa Droasese broke on the left wing and replacement prop Peni Ravai rumbled down the right touch and looked set to score. But Ravai, in his 50th test, tripped himself and Karawalevu was on hand to give scrumhalf Frank Lomani the third and last try.
Fiji players celebrate after the team's try during the semifinal of the Pacific Nations Cup rugby match at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.(AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Conner Mooneyham of the U.S. catches the ball against Fijian defense during the semifinal at the Pacific Nations Cup rugby match at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.(AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Fiji's Vuate Karawalevu, left, runs past Tavite Lopeti of the U.S., during the semifinal of the Pacific Nations Cup rugby match at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.(AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Fiji's Frank Lomani, center, scores try against Cory Daniel of the U.S, during the semifinal of the Pacific Nations Cup rugby match at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.(AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit a game-tying, three-run homer with two outs in the second inning of his highly anticipated playoff debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night.
After flying out in the first, the Japanese superstar sent a 2-1 pitch from Dylan Cease into right field, a 372-foot shot that had the sellout crowd of 53,028 on its feet. The Dodgers went on to a 7-5 victory over the team they had battled down to the wire before winning their 11th NL West title in 12 years.
Ohtani finished 2 for 5, with three RBIs, two runs scored and two strikeouts as 88-year-old Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax looked on from behind home plate.
The Padres had taken a 3-0 lead in the first off Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Ohtani's countryman who is also making his postseason debut in the National League Division Series.
Ohtani, who hit .310 in the regular season, scored Will Smith, who walked, and Gavin Lux, who singled, to make it 3-3.
San Diego went ahead 5-3 before the Dodgers rallied with three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Ohtani had a broken-bat single and later scored, along with Mookie Betts, on Teoscar Hernández's single that gave the Dodgers their first lead, 6-5.
Ohtani is getting his first chance on the October playoff stage after spending the last six years with the Los Angeles Angels, who never had a winning record or made the postseason during his tenure.
Ohtani signed a record $700 million, 10-year deal with the Dodgers in December. He didn’t pitch this season while rehabbing from a second elbow surgery he had a year ago. That allowed him to focus on his offense, and he exploded, becoming Major League Baseball's first player with 50 homers and 50 stolen bases in a season.
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Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani reacts as he rounds first base following his three-run home run during the second inning in Game 1 of baseball's NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani watches his three-run home run during the second inning in Game 1 of baseball's NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani breaks his bat as he singles during the fourth inning in Game 1 of baseball's NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates with manager Dave Roberts, middle right, after Ohtani scored on a single by Teoscar Hernández during the fourth inning in Game 1 of baseball's NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, middle, celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a three-run home run during the second inning in Game 1 of baseball's NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani reacts after hitting a three-run home run during the second inning in Game 1 of baseball's NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani runs from second to third base during the fourth inning in Game 1 of baseball's NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani flies out against the San Diego Padres during the first inning in Game 1 of baseball's NL Division Series Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) bumps fists with teammates before Game 1 of baseball's NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, right, waits for the start of Game 1 of baseball's NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani walks back to the dugout before Game 1 of baseball's NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani flies out against the San Diego Padres during the first inning in Game 1 of baseball's NL Division Series Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
