We’ve got another day of WBC baseball and this one wasn’t without it’s thrills.
Japan 8, Korea 6
Ho hum, another game for Japan, another home run for Shohei Ohtani.
Except this time, it wasn’t Ohtani that was the star for Japan. That would be Seiya Suzuki, who homered twice to help Japan take a game was pretty well played from both teams.
Korea’s offense was actually clicking on a few cylinders and gave Japan
a scare, but Samurai is just too deep.
Canada 8, Colombia 2
Canada has a sneaky good team put together that might be able to do a little damage. They rode an Owen Cassie home run and a two hit, two RBI day from Abraham Toro to a victory over Colombia.
Canada’s offense is legit. If they can get some pitching to back it up, particularly if their bullpen can be effective, don’t be surprised if they win their pool and maybe a quarterfinal game.
Netherlands 4, Nicaragua 3
This one was a thriller. Nicaragua, which has yet to ever have a win in the Classic, were down to needing their last out to secure that first victory. They had gotten that lead thanks to a two-run home run from Jeter Downs that broke a 1-1 tie. However, with those two outs, Netherlands put two runners on for Ozzie Albies. Albies got a first pitch fastball and…
Fun game to watch.
Italy 8, Brazil 0
Italy began their tournament play with a thumping of a Brazilian team that is simply overmatched in any game they play. The Italians were led by Dante Nori, who had two home runs.
That’s a rather nice swing from the Phillies’ prospect. Might we be seeing a breakout campaign begin right before our eyes?
Puerto Rico 4, Panama 3 (10 innings)
Now, this was another thriller that was probably missed thanks to the U.S. playing around the same time. Panama had a lead in the bottom of the ninth, but blew it thanks to a bases loaded walk to Willi Castro. In the tenth, the Panamanians took the lead when Jose Caballero singled in the ghost runner on second, but they needed to get three outs themselves.
It was not to be.
Venezuela 11, Israel 3
Venezuela continued to show an all around offensive thunder by beating Israel 11-3. Luis Arraez was the hitting star of the night, going 4-5 with two doubles and two home runs, driving in five to pace the Venezuelans. They are looking dangerous yet again.
United States 9, Great Britain 1
Tarik Skubal gave up a first pitch home run to someone named Nate Eaton, but that was the only offensive production the Brits would have. The American pitching simply overwhelmed the opposition while their own offense slowly creaked the life as the game when on. They were sparked by Kyle Schwarber.
That should wrap up that pool, I think.
Chinese Taipei 5, Korea 4 (10 innings)
Another extra inning thriller, Chinese Taipei put their hat into the ring as the possible second seed in their pool by taking a game from Korea thanks to a suicide squeeze in the 10th inning. Fundamentals are critical, folks.
