World Baseball Classic: Japan shines, Cuba stumbles

Japan's Shugo Maki reacts after hitting a home run during the World Baseball Classic (WBC) Pool B round game between Japan and China at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 9, 2023. (Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP) (Photo by YUICHI YAMAZAKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Japan's Shugo Maki reacts after hitting a home run during the World Baseball Classic (WBC) Pool B round game between Japan and China at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 9, 2023. (Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP) (Photo by YUICHI YAMAZAKI/AFP via Getty Images)
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Didi Gregorius  (18),Xander Bogaerts, and Wendell Floranus (99) of Team Netherlands celebrate during the World Baseball Classic Pool A game between Panama and Netherlands at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in Taichung, Taiwan. (Photo by Gene Wang/Getty Images)
Didi Gregorius  (18),Xander Bogaerts, and Wendell Floranus (99) of Team Netherlands celebrate during the World Baseball Classic Pool A game between Panama and Netherlands at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in Taichung, Taiwan. (Photo by Gene Wang/Getty Images)

World Baseball Classic: Netherlands 3, Panama 1

In Taichung, Taiwan, Netherlands took the battle of first-day winners and emerged as a favorite to advance out of the Group.

Netherlands rode big league power to its win. In the third inning, shortstop Xander Bogaerts homered into the seats in left. Two innings later, outfielder Jurickson Profar sent a screaming line drive into the right field seats to make it 2-0.

In the Panama sixth, Erasmo Caballero slipped a ground ball through the Netherlands infield, scoring Jose Ramos with Panama’s only run. An eighth-inning wild pitch allowed Bogaerts to carry home an insurance run.

Following a lackluster performance in Wednesday’s victory over Cuba, Bogaerts lead by example Thursday. His home run was one of three base hits off his bat; Bogaerts also doubled and singled.

Shairon Martis, who enjoyed limited MLB experience a decade ago, pitched 3.1 scoreless innings and struck out four to get the victory. Los Angeles Angels reliever Jaime Barria made the start for Panama, allowed the Bogaerts home run, and took the loss.