Taipei City. The second portion of the World Baseball Classic Qualifiers got underway on Thursday morning in Taipei City. The Philippines defeated Thailand 8-2 in the opening game at Xinzhuang Stadium. Three runs in the fourth gave them the lead; three in the eighth blew the score wide open.
Joseph Daru put Thailand ahead in the first inning, driving in Nathan Lorentz with an infield single. But the advantage only lasted until the fourth. Alec Rosales tied the contest with a RBI double. A balk gave the Philippines the lead. A RBI single by Devon Ramirez made it 3-1 to cap the rally.
A RBI double by Fernando Laurel in the fifth and an error in the sixth widened the gap to four runs in the following frames. Three runs in the eighth – two on a single by Andres Vazquez – blew the score open.
A RBI single by Sek Sitthikaew in the bottom of the eighth gave Thailand a second run. But it was too little, too late, as they were hurt by their defense, which committed seven errors.
Vazquez ended up with three runs and two RBI to spark the Philippines offense. Ryan Pineda and Fernando Laurel had three hits apiece. Nathan Lorentz collected two of the seven hits for Thailand. Major Leaguer Johnny Damon went 1-for-3 with a walk as designated hitter in his debut for Thailand.
Jon Jon Robles picked up the win, allowing just an unearned run on five hits and a walk in 4 1/3 innings. He struck out four. Four pitchers closed out the victory with former big leaguer Geno Espinelli striking out two in a perfect ninth.
Kamolphan Kanjanavisut was charged with the loss, issuing six hits, three runs and two base on balls in four innings.
The Philippines will play the winner of the Chinese Taipei-New Zealand matchup on Friday, while Thailand takes on the loser hoping to avoid elimination.
Results WBC Qualifier Taipei City:
Thursday, November 15:
Thailand 2 – Philippines 8
