Watch: Kikuchi cranks opposite-field HR to level Japan vs. U.S.

Andrew McCutchen was about a foot away from pulling off one of the World Baseball Classic's greatest catches.

Japan second baseman Ryosuke Kikuchi finally put his country on the board in the sixth inning of Tuesday's semifinal against the United States when his home run to right field just managed to evade McCutchen's outstretched glove.

Kikuchi's longball undoubtedly felt like a moment of redemption for the Japanese infielder. His error in the fourth inning allowed Christian Yelich to reach second base before the Miami Marlins outfielder scored the game's first run on a single by McCutchen three batters later.

(Video courtesy: MLB.com)