World Baseball Classic: Israel Eliminated as Japan’s Streak Continunes
By Keaton Moore
After unprecedented success in Pool A, Team Israel was sent home as Japan and the Netherlands move on to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic.
Team Israel came up short, and their 8-3 loss to Japan eliminated them from the World Baseball Classic.
As Kodai Senga held Israel to just one hit through five innings, Josh Zeid did the same, keeping Japan to four hits and two walks while striking out three.
After five quiet innings, Yoshitomo Tsutsugoh broke the silence with a home run in the sixth. His homer sparked a five-run rally, where Nobuhiro Matsuda hit an RBI double, Seiji Kobayashi and Ryosuke Kiksuchi both singled in runs and Nori Aoki‘s bases-loaded hit-by-pitch brought home a run.
Japan scored three additional runs in the bottom of the eighth before Israel found its swing in the ninth. Although Ike Davis put his team on the board with an RBI single and Ryan Lavarnway doubled in two runs, Israel’s comeback attempt fell short.
What’s Next?
In order to readjust to the time change, Team Japan is set to play an exhibition game against the reigning World Series champion Chicago Cubs on March 18 at 1:05 p.m. PST. They resume the World Baseball Classic on March 21 at 6:00 p.m. PST and face the runner-up in Pool F.
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With Israel’s defeat, the Netherlands join Japan as the runner-up team in Pool E in the semifinals. Consequently, they will play the winner of Pool F on March 20 at 6:00 p.m. PST. To view the full schedule, check out worldbaseballclassic.com.