TEAM USA VS JAPAN

 Japan vs. United States info

When: 9 p.m. ET

Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

What: World Baseball Classic semifinals

TV: MLB Network, ESPN Deportes (Spanish)

Online: MLB Network, MLB.tv (subscription), WatchESPN (Spanish)

 LOS ANGELES – Former Los Angeles Dodgers hurler Hideo Nomo will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Tuesday’s World Baseball Classic semifinal between Japan and the United States at Dodger Stadium.

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His first big league manager, Tommy Lasorda, will catch the ceremonial pitch before Samurai Japan seeks to return to the WBC finals for the first time since it won the 2009 tournament.

The United States will play its first World Baseball Classic semifinal game in eight years on Tuesday night, battling regular tournament power Japan at Dodger Stadium.

Tuesday’s semifinal will be televised by MLB Network at 9 p.m. ET, with Matt Vasgersian calling the play-by-play alongside analyst John Smoltz, with reporter Jon Morosi delivering the goods from both dugouts. Online streaming is available through MLB Network, with adequate television provider authentication.

This is the second time in four WBC tournaments that the United States has reached the final four. The last time was in 2009, when Team USA lost to eventual tournament champion Japan.

Puerto Rico beat the Netherlands, 4-3, on Monday night to advance to the World Baseball Classic final. Carlos Correa scored the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly by Eddie Rosario in the bottom of the 11th inning.

Extra innings followed the new WBC rules, so beginning in the 11th, both teams started with runners on first and second. Puerto Rico took advantage to win the game.