Japan first to Semis – US advances to 2nd Round

11/03/2013

Tokyo/Phoenix/San Juan. Two-time World Baseball Classic winner Japan continues its success story also at the third edition in 2013. Team Samurai crushed 2011 IBAF Baseball World Cup winner Netherlands on Sunday to reach the semifinals as the first team. Cuba will face the Dutch team on Monday to determine the second semifinalist.

Tokyo/Phoenix/San Juan. Two-time World Baseball Classic winner Japan continues its success story also at the third edition in 2013. Team Samurai crushed 2011 IBAF Baseball World Cup winner Netherlands on Sunday to reach the semifinals as the first team. Cuba will face the Dutch team on Monday to determine the second semifinalist.

Meanwhile the first round got concluded on Sunday as well. Team USA avoided an early exit from the tournament thanks to a late surge and a win over Canada at Chase Field in Phoenix. The team of manager Joe Torre joins Italy, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico in round two at Marlins Park in Miami. The second round there starts on Tuesday.

Second Round

Netherlands 4 – Japan 16 (7 innings)

Japan scored in each of the seven innings to blow out the Netherlands 16-4 en route to the semi-finals. Six home runs supported Team Samurai during the offensive outburst at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo. Kenta Maeda did the rest as starting pitcher, striking out a tournament-high nine batters in five one-hit innings. Dutch IBAF Baseball World Cup hero Rob Cordemans took the loss and saw an early exit in the second.

First Round

Canada 4 – USA 9

Team USA scored seven runs in the last two frames of a 9-4 victory over Canada on Sunday at Chase Field in Phoenix. With the victory the United States were able to claim first place in Pool D, while Canada dropped to third and out of the tournament. Adam Jones and Eric Hosmer led the way for Joe Torre’s team, combining for six RBI. Michael Saunders, who was named MVP for the first-round pool, hit a two-run home run for Canada.

Venezuela 11 – Spain 6

In a duel of previously winless teams in Pool C, Venezuela defeated Spain 11-6 on Sunday afternoon at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan. American League MVP and Triple Crown Winner Miguel Cabrera led the way with three hits, a home run, three runs and three RBI. Pablo Sandoval also homered for Venezuela, which surprisingly will miss the second round. Barbaro Canizares and Engel Beltre drove the ball over the fence for Spain.

Puerto Rico 2 – Dominican Republic 4

The Dominican Republic overcame a two-run home run by Mike Aviles to down Puerto Rico 4-2 in a thrilling conclusion of the first round at the 2013 World Baseball Classic on Sunday evening in San Juan. Robinson Cano hit a solo home run for the Dominicans to tie the game. Alejandro De Aza had the go-ahead RBI double in the sixth. Both teams advance to the second round.

Standings

Pool C (final):
1) Dominican Republic 3-0
2) Puerto Rico 2-1
3) Venezuela 1-2
4) Spain 0-3

Pool D (final):
1) USA 2-1
2) Italy 2-1
3) Canada 1-2
4) Mexico 1-2

Outlook

One game is on the schedule for Monday at the 2013 World Baseball Classic. The Netherlands and Cuba will square off at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan with the winner qualifying for the semifinals in San Francisco, California. Both teams already met at the beginning of the second round with the Dutch prevailing 6-2. The loser of this matchup will be eliminated. The winner will face Japan in the last second-round game in Tokyo on Tuesday.

The second round at the Marlins Park in Miami, Florida will commence on Tuesday with two games. The Dominican Republic takes on Italy in the first game in the afternoon. In the evening Team USA takes on Puerto Rico. In difference to the first round the second round will be played in a modified double elimination format. The best two teams will qualify for the semifinals in San Francisco.

Schedule

Monday, March 11, 2013

Second Round:
19:00 Netherlands – Cuba (Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan)

(all times local)

The 2013 World Baseball Classic is officially sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation (IBAF). The winner will be named IBAF World Champion for the first time. The final round will be played at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California from March 17 to 19. More information including highlights can be found at www.worldbaseballclassic.com

Photo: © World Baseball Classic, Inc.