World Baseball Classic Day 5: Japan Undefeated, USA Walk-Off, Puerto Rico Powerhouse
An epic walk-off and offensive showcase highlight the fifth day of the World Baseball Classic.
Beginning another exciting in the World Baseball Classic, Pool B MVP Yoshitomo Tsutsugoh helped Japan complete their pool-play sweep with a 7-1 victory over China. Once the dust of the pitcher's duel between Chris Archer and Jose Quintana settled, the USA came from behind Colombia to win 3-2 in extra innings. Shortly after, the Puerto Ricans flashed their offensive potential in a blowout 11-0 victory over Venezuela.
— Keaton A. Moore (@KeatonAMoore) March 11, 2017
Undefeated Japan Defeats China
By beating China 7-1, Japan is 3-0 and one of six undefeated teams remaining in the WBC. While Israel stands 3-0 after sweeping through Pool A, the Dominican Republic, Italy, USA and Puerto Rico are all undefeated through their first games of pool play.
Playing a major role in Japan's success, Yoshitomo Tsutsugoh was named the Pool B MVP. Including a home run in each of Japan's first two games, Tsutsugoh batted .364 with 4 hits and 5 RBIs from the cleanup spot.
"I don't evaluate which game is more important or less important," Tsutsugoh said (per mlb.com). "Every game is just a game."
While Shota Takeda pitched through four scoreless innings, where he allowed just four hits and one walk, Seiji Kobayashi gave Japan a 3-0 lead with a two-run homer in the second. The following inning, Sho Nakata hit his own two-run homer in the third, giving Japan a 5-1 lead.
As a team, China committed three errors, one of which allowed Japan to score twice in the seventh. Not only are they eliminated from the tournament, but by going 0-3 in pool play, China will have to re-qualify for the next WBC.
Adam Jones Wins it for USA in Extras
Both Archer and Quintana brought their best to Marlins Park, but USA rallied in the tenth inning to a 3-2 victory over Colombia. Adam Jones brought a dramatic game to an end with a walk-off single.
While Archer remained perfect through the fourth with three strikeouts, Quintana's no-hit bid lasted through 5.2 innings. With two outs in the sixth, Brandon Crawford of the Giants broke up Quintana's chance at a no-no with a single.
Once Mychal Givens relieved Archer in the fifth, Colombia took a 2-0 lead over USA with three consecutive doubles. Jesus Valdez smacked a two-out double that broke up Team USA's perfect game at 4.2 innings.
Valdez eventually scored the first run of the game when Adrian Sanchez doubled him home. Mauricio Ramos followed suit and drove in Sanchez with another RBI double.
After Colombia held his team hitless for nearly six innings, Jones put USA on the board with an RBI double that cut Colombia's lead to 2-1. Nolan Arenado ran out a dropped third strike and slid safely into first base as the game-tying run crossed the plate.
After both teams made serious threats in the ninth inning, the game went into extra innings. Jones came up to the plate with two outs and two runners on after back-to-back walks. Faced with an 0-2 count, Jones drove in the walk-off run with a single into centerfield.
"It means a lot," Jones said (per mlb.com). "Any win, no matter if you win it in a walk off, it's big. I think the situational magnitude is a little big bigger. I'm just glad we were able to get the win."
Termination Rule Holds Puerto Rico to 11 Runs
Another major league pitching matchup took place between Puerto Rico's Seth Lugo and Venezuela's Felix Hernandez. While many suspected the game to be close, Puerto Rico mercy ruled Venezuela with an 11-0 shutout victory.
With appearances in every WBC, Hernandez came into his start without giving up a run through 8.2 innings. However, T.J. Rivera hit a sacrifice fly in the third that not only put Puerto Rico ahead 1-0, but drove in the first run given up by King Felix ever in the tournament. Puerto Rico eventually scored another in the third when Carlos Beltran coaxed a bases-loaded walk.
Meanwhile, Lugo kept Venezuela to one hit through 5.1 innings. Even after Puerto Rico went to their bullpen, Giovanni Soto and Joe Jimenez held Venezuela to just two hits.
Carlos Correa and Yadier Molina both went yard in the sixth inning to give Puerto Rico a 5-0 lead. Their offensive prowess leaked into the seventh inning, where Puerto Rico finished the game by scoring six runs.
After he hit an RBI single, Beltran eventually scored off a double hit by Javier Baez to extend Puerto Rico's lead to 7-0. Following an RBI double from Eddie Rosario, Rivera put the Venezuelans out of their misery with a two-run homer that warranted the early termination rule.
What's Next
Pool C continues with a game between Colombia and Canada at 9:00 a.m. PST. Afterward, the USA takes on the reigning WBC champion Dominican Republic at 3:30 p.m. PST.
Puerto Rico looks to improve to 2-0 in Pool D with a game against Mexico at 6:30 p.m. PST. On the flip side, Venezuela hopes to find their first tournament win against Italy at 12:00 p.m. PST.
Cuba wraps up the day with game against the undefeated Israel at 7:00 p.m. PST. Their game opens Pool E and begins the second round of the tournament. For the full schedule, check out https://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/scoreboard.
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