Correa, Puerto Rico win big to end first round

Team Puerto Rico remained scorching hot at the plate as it beat Team Italy, 9-3, on Sunday afternoon at Estadio Charros de Jalisco in Guadalajara, Mexico, to win Pool D and advance to the second round in San Diego.

Italy (1-2) now faces Venezuela (1-2) in a tiebreaker game at 9 p.m. ET on Monday to determine who will move on to Pool F with Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the United States.

Carlos Correa smacked a three-run homer for Puerto Rico (3-0), while Astros teammate Carlos Beltran added a run-scoring double. Cubs infielder Javier Baez drove in the first run for the island team, Dodgers utility man Enrique Hernandez added two RBIs and Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor contributed a sac fly.

Puerto Rico completely dominated its competition in Pool D, outscoring its opponents, 29-7, and managing at least nine runs each game.

"I mean, every game, the offense was there, and the pitching was there, so the defense was there," Puerto Rico manager Edwin Rodriguez said. "So we have a very good balanced team in the defense and the offense. We have a very good combination of veteran players and young players with a lot of energy. They are very committed to what we're trying to do here, and they showed that on the field. So we are very confident moving forward."

• Eyes on Classic prize, PR prepares for DR

In fact, Italian manager Marco Mazzieri said he believes Puerto Rico has a good shot to reach the championship round in Los Angeles (March 20-22 at Dodger Stadium).

"I believe so because they are good, good pitching, good fielding, good baseball, and besides, I think that they have the passion that they need to play a tournament like this," Mazzieri said. "They are very proud. They looked good. It's a very strong team. It could be that -- I think they're going to be in the last four games in L.A."

Not surprisingly, Puerto Rico also feels good about its chances in WBC '17.

"From the beginning, from before we started practicing, once we started getting together and knew who the guys on the roster were, there wasn't a doubt that we could get past this first round because our goal is to get to the finals, get to L.A. and win it all," Hernandez said.

Italy scored three early runs, thanks to a two-run shot from Cubs Minor Leaguer John Andreoli in the first inning and a solo shot by Royals catcher Drew Butera in the second.

Puerto Rico's pitching staff shut down the Italians after Butera's homer, as starter Jose Berrios (Twins) and Hiram Burgos (Brewers) combined to record 15 outs in a row before Chris Colabello (Indians) drew a walk with two outs in the seventh.

"I would like to give credit to the pitching of the Puerto Rican team because the first two innings, they adjusted on our hitters, and they started throwing the first pitch for strikes," Mazzieri said. "We couldn't adjust."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Correa goes yard: Correa launched a three-run homer to left to give Puerto Rico a 7-3 advantage in the fourth. Correa took Blue Jays Minor Leaguer Jordan Romano deep for his second homer of WBC '17.

"Well, the quality of the game, the talent, they are young athletes with a lot of energy," Rodriguez said. "Every one of them, one by one, the first, Carlos Correa, today against Italy, that three-run hit, Javier Baez the second night, and defensively, what we were expecting from them, every fan enjoyed it, definitely. I think this short three days here -- because they are fans of each other, as well. They got together, and they played together." More >

Nimmo leaves with injury: Italy starting center fielder Brandon Nimmo was removed from the game in the bottom of the fifth after he appeared to get injured while tracking down Hernandez's RBI triple. The Mets outfielder came up lame as he chased the ball in the gap, but he was able to walk off the field on his own. 

"Actually it's a right hamstring strain, grade 1, so it should take him a couple of weeks," Mazzieri said. More >

ITALY'S MAZZIERI TO RETIRE
Mazzieri told his team after the game that if it doesn't play in the tiebreaker, Sunday would be his last game managing Italy.

"Well, it's not about my career," said Mazzieri, who has managed the Italian national team since 2007. "It's about all the players that played for me, because wins and losses are in the books, but the emotions and the feelings, it doesn't matter 20 years from now, it will be there forever. It's about them, it's not about me. I want to thank all of them through these 10 years that we had in different events and competitions because they made it special." More >

QUOTABLE
"We're really proud. We have a lot of pride, and what we showed is what we're going to bring to the table. We're going to bring a lot of energy, a lot of passion, and we're going to play hard from the first pitch to the last pitch of the game. What you saw here is what you can expect from us." -- Hernandez, on Puerto Rico's mindset

"I think we gave all out, and I hope that people watching from the stands appreciated that because these guys, they've been all out. They played with their heart, and not only with their heart, their souls and everything. We are pleased with our performances. We're not so pleased with the outcome, but that's sport." -- Mazzieri, on Italy's showing

WHAT'S NEXT
Italy: Italy faces Venezuela in a tiebreaking game at 9 p.m. ET Monday that decides who moves on to San Diego with Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico is on to the second round in San Diego, where it will play the Dominican Republic on Tuesday at Petco Park. First pitch is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET.

DR downs resilient Colombia in 11 to win pool

It wasn't easy, but the reigning World Baseball Classic champions are a step closer to defending their title. The Dominican Republic completed its undefeated run through pool play Sunday and will now move on to San Diego after holding off a relentless Colombia team, 10-3, in 11 innings at Marlins Park.

Welington Castillo's two-run single off William Cuevas brought home the go-ahead runs in what ended up as a seven-run Dominican 11th inning, fueled by the Classic-specific rule that places runners on first and second starting in the 11th inning. Castillo's heroics capped a remarkable two-inning performance for the catcher, who played a huge role in saving the game for the Dominicans in the ninth when he made an exceptional tag at the plate to complete a double play and send the game into extras. Jean Segura's three-run double later in the 11th broke the game open and prevented Colombia, which mounted comebacks all afternoon, from doing so again.

The Dominicans finished pool play 3-0, narrowly avoiding a nightmare situation with the win. Had Colombia stolen the game from the heavy favorites, it would have automatically advanced to the second round while potentially forcing the D.R. to play a tiebreaker with the United States. Instead, Colombia dropped to 1-2 and was eliminated when Team USA defeated Canada later Sunday night.

"The team was unified, it was a family," Colombia manager Luis Urueta said. "They came for a purpose. After the first game, the motivation was automatic. And now after you lose, it's not what I would tell them but rather what they say."

While Sunday was Colombia's final Classic moment, the first-time qualifier made quite a mark on the tournament by pushing the defending champions to the brink. Coming off its comeback win over the United States on Saturday, the D.R. didn't figure to be seriously pushed by Colombia, a team made up mostly of Minor Leaguers with no Major League experience.

The Dominican lineup Sunday featured five MLB All-Stars, with two more on the bench and five more in the bullpen. But Colombia fought back from a 3-1 deficit, using Mauricio Ramos' RBI double to inch closer in the sixth and Jorge Alfaro's eighth-inning homer off Fernando Rodney to tie it.

Colombia then loaded the bases against Hansel Robles in the bottom of the ninth, but came up inches short when Oscar Mercado was tagged out at the plate by Castillo on a throw from Jose Bautista, the back end of a dramatic double play that sent the game to extras and sparked multiple ejections.

"It hurts a lot, of course," Urueta said. "We were 90 feet from surprising the world, from shocking the Dominicans. But it is a satisfaction, as I said, and that they jumped up with happiness and so much emotion."

The Dominicans' all-world lineup managed precious little against four Colombian relievers in the meantime. After starter Nabil Crismatt allowed three runs over the first three innings, Karl Triana, Ernesto Frieri, Dayan Diaz and Tayron Guerrero combined to throw seven innings of scoreless relief that made Colombia's comeback possible. But the Dominican bats woke up in the 11th, when RBI hits by Castillo, Segura and Carlos Santana resulted in a final score that doesn't come close to encapsulating the drama.

With a star-studded roster and a rabid following that flooded Marlins Park this weekend, the Dominicans brought expectations of dominance into this Classic. So far, they have delivered on those expectations, finishing pool play having outscored their three opponents, 26-8.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
To extras! The game came down to a fly ball off the bat of Reynaldo Rodriguez in the bottom of the ninth. With one out, the bases loaded and the score tied, Rodriguez lined a medium-depth fly to Bautista in left field. Pinch-runner Mercado tagged from third. Bautista's throw home pulled catcher Castillo up the line and into Mercado, who Castillo collided with immediately after receiving the throw. Mercado was called out in a bang-bang play. He appeared to never reach the plate. But several members of the Colombia team left the dugout to argue vehemently with home-plate umpire Trip Gibson III, who ejected outfielder Tito Polo and Rodriguez. 

"For me, he was out. I don't see anything controversial. Maybe the emotions got hold of the players," Ureuta said. "They were a few inches from qualifying over the Dominican Republic and the U.S., [which] would have been a feat." More >

Get excited, Phillies fans: Alfaro launched his game-tying homer 398 feet and at 109 mph, according to Statcast™, leading off the eighth against Rodney, one of the most accomplished Classic pitchers of all time. Alfaro muscled a high changeup over the left-center-field wall, and shot celebratory arrows -- Rodney's signature celebration -- upon returning to the dugout. But that wasn't the only way he made an impact Sunday. Alfaro also showed off his grade 70 arm throwing out Gregory Polanco attempting to steal second in the sixth. Alfaro is the Phillies' No. 3 prospect and No. 72 prospect in all of baseball, according to MLBPipeline.com. More >

Manny is the man: Manny Machado's masterful tournament on both sides of the ball continued. He seemed to make a highlight-reel worthy play every inning and accounted for two of the D.R.'s three runs offensively. Machado's third-inning double drove in the go-ahead run and he scored later in the inning. In the first, he likely saved two runs by deftly snagging a bad-hop bouncer with the bases loaded. He added two more sensational plays in the third and fifth. He hit .357 in pool play. More >

Crazy caught-stealing: His team down by a run in the seventh, Polo tried to swipe second after leading off with a walk against Dellin Betances. Runners were 21 for 21 last season stealing bases against Betances, whose delivery makes him slow to the plate. So Polo ran, and D.R. catcher Castillo made a strong throw to second. But shortstop Segura was late covering, and had to dive across the base to catch Castillo's throw and tag Polo in what ended up being an important, spectacular, bang-bang play. More >

WHAT'S NEXT
Dominican Republic: The defending World Baseball Classic champions are moving on to the second round. They'll travel to San Diego, where Round 2 begins Tuesday against Puerto Rico, the winner of Pool D.

Big Sho: Nakata leads Japan past Dutch in 11

The winning rally began with a sacrifice bunt. Really, it did.

Playing for the first time under World Baseball Classic rules designed to prevent long extra-inning games, Japan scored two times in the 11th inning on Sunday to defeat the Netherlands, 8-6, in both teams' second-round opener. After beginning the inning with runners at first and second base under tournament rules, Japan had Seiya Suzuki bunt them over to second and third. Sho Nakata followed by delivering a single to bring both of them home.

The Netherlands was given the same advantage, beginning the bottom of the 11th with runners at first and second, but was unable to score.

Japan remained undefeated in WBC 2017, and now likely needs only one win in two games against Cuba and Israel to advance to the semifinals for a fourth consecutive time. Japan is the only country to make the semifinal round in each of the first three World Baseball Classics.

The Dutch were a surprise semifinalist four years ago -- joining Japan in coming out of the Tokyo pool, despite losing to the hosts twice. It wouldn't be nearly as big a surprise if the Netherlands advances this year, although Sunday's loss makes it likely the Dutch will need to beat both Israel and Cuba in their next two games.

They didn't come close to beating Japan in two second-round meetings four years ago, and in fact gave up six home runs in one 16-4 loss. Sunday's game was much closer.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Kikuchi helps Japan escape: The Netherlands looked ready to rally when Jurickson Profar walked with one out in the seventh and Xander Bogaerts followed with a ground ball seemingly headed for center field. But Japan's second baseman Ryosuke Kikuchi dove, backhanded the ball, then flipped it from his glove on the ground to shortstop Hayato Sakamoto. Japan had a forceout, and Ryo Akiyoshi came on to strike out Wladimir Balentien to end the inning.

Senga shuts it down: The Netherlands kept pace when Japan scored in the second inning, and responded with four when Japan scored four in the third. After Japan took the lead again with a run in the fifth, the Dutch opened their half of the inning with an Andrelton Simmons single, followed by a Profar double. But Japanese reliever Kodai Senga, who features a 95-mph fastball and a nasty split, struck out Bogaerts looking and Balentien swinging. Didi Gregorius grounded out to end the inning.

Coco power: The only player in the top six of the Netherlands' lineup who isn't a current Major Leaguer is Balentien, the cleanup hitter known as Coco. Balentien, who played for the Mariners and Reds from 2007-09, has played for Japan's Tokyo Yakult Swallows the last six years, hitting 60 home runs in 130 games in 2013. So his game-tying two-run shot in the third inning was no surprise to the local fans.

Sho time: Nakata was Japan's cleanup hitter at the start of a fall-exhibition series, but struggled and was pushed to the fifth spot behind Yoshitomo Tsutsugoh. Nakata said Japan's hitting coach Atsunori Inaba told him to swing as hard as he can. Now, he has three home runs in four tournament games -- including a three-run shot in the third inning on Sunday.

WHAT'S NEXT
Japan: The hosts have a day off before they play Cuba on Tuesday at 6 a.m. ET on MLB Network and MLB.TV.

Netherlands: The Dutch, who lost to Israel in a first-round game that only determined seeding, will face the tournament's surprise team again on Monday at 6 a.m. ET on MLB Network and MLB.TV.

Classic start: Israel tops Cuba, still unbeaten

Israel's remarkable run in the World Baseball Classic has now carried into the second round.

After three straight wins to top Pool A in Seoul, the darlings of the tournament opened Pool E at Tokyo Dome Sunday with a 4-1 win over Cuba. A win in either of Israel's remaining games, against the Netherlands and Japan, could send the underdog team to Dodger Stadium for the semifinals.

Former Major Leaguer Jason Marquis and three relievers limited Cuba to five hits, and Pool A MVP Ryan Lavarnway's two hits highlighted an Israel offense that clicked at the right time. Marquis allowed a home run to Cuban star Alfredo Despaigne, but Lavarnway cancelled that out with his run-scoring single in the fourth, and Zach Borenstein's single in the sixth put Israel on top.

"We've been looking forward to this the whole offseason," Borenstein said. "We have something to prove. Our goal is to win the last game of the tournament."

They've won every game they've played in the tournament so far, going all the way back to three wins in a September qualifier in Brooklyn, N.Y. They still have more work to do, but Sunday's win sets them up with a good chance to be one of the two teams that will eventually advance out of Pool E.

"We've pitched extremely well, we've had timely hitting and played good defense," manager Jerry Weinstein said.

Cuba also lost its opening game in first-round play, to host Japan, before wins over China and Australia propelled the Cubans into the second round. Cuba likely needs to win its next two games, against Japan and the Netherlands, for a chance to get to the semifinals.

"Our pitchers struggled today," manager Carlos Marti said. "It was difficult for our pitchers to adjust to this umpire's strike zone. But I think eight walks, at a high level of international play like the WBC, that's too many walks."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Lavarnway stays hot: In a pregame ceremony Sunday, Lavarnway was presented with a trophy for winning the MVP award in Pool A last week in Seoul. Lavarnway carried his Seoul success into Tokyo, with a fourth-inning double to tie the game at 1-1 and a ninth-inning single that helped lead to an insurance run. Lavarnway also threw out Cuba's speedy center fielder, Roel Santos, trying to steal.

It's Despaigne, again: Despaigne is now the all-time World Baseball Classic home run leader. Sunday's shot off Marquis was his third in this tournament and his seventh overall, breaking a tie with teammate Frederich Cepeda. Despaigne homered once in the '09 Classic and three times in six games in WBC '13.

Marquis goes deeper: Weinstein only allowed Marquis to throw 69 pitches, meaning he can't pitch again in this round of the tournament. Marquis gave up only the Despaigne home run in 5 2/3 innings, giving Israel a chance to come back and win the game. More >

"We felt the game would dictate it," Weinstein said. "We knew winning this game was very important. He had a lot left in the tank [in the sixth], but we liked the matchup with [reliever Zach] Thornton."

Strength in the 'pen: Israel had one roster change for the second round, and newly added White Sox reliever Brad Goldberg took over as the setup man. Goldberg hit 96 mph on the radar gun, but when he walked Cepeda to bring up Despaigne with two outs in the eighth, Weinstein went to Zeid. Zeid walked Despaigne on four pitches to load the bases, but he got William Saavedra to ground to third base to end the threat. More >

"Those guys at the back end have got really good stuff," Lavarnway said. "We trust them, and they trust their stuff against the hitters."

QUOTABLE
"I don't agree with that. We're representing Israel. Our guys qualify under the heritage rules. I think if you ask anyone in our clubhouse, we're representing Israel. We're not a JV team for the U.S. We're Team Israel. Make no mistake." -- Weinstein, in response to a Cuban reporter questioning whether his team is really a "United States 2" or "United States 3" team rather than an Israel team

"Before the game, we didn't know Israel had such good players. When we played against them, we saw. I think Israel has a chance to go to the semifinal round out of this pool." -- Marti

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Israel scored an insurance run on a safety squeeze in the eighth inning, with Blake Gailen getting the bunt down and Borenstein scoring from third base.

"It was a perfect situation for it," Weinstein said. "A left-handed pitcher, a left-handed hitter. That lane is open to bunt."

WHAT'S NEXT
Cuba: Cuba, which lost to Japan, 11-6, in the Pool B opener, will face the hosts in a second-round game Tuesday at 6 a.m. ET.

Israel: Israel will be back in action Monday at 6 a.m. ET against the Netherlands, in a rematch of a Pool A game the Israelis won, 4-2, in Seoul.

Lindor's homers put PR on brink of winning Pool D

Puerto Rico remained red-hot at the 2017 World Baseball Classic and beat Mexico, 9-4, behind a pair of home runs from Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor and a homer from Cubs infielder Javier Baez in a wild game Saturday night at Estadio Charros de Jalisco in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Coming off a dominant 11-0 victory Friday against Venezuela, Puerto Rico led wire-to-wire again Saturday, withstanding a midgame rally by Mexico. Puerto Rico improved to 2-0 in Pool D with the win, putting the team in a good position to claim a top seed for the second round in San Diego.

"Any victory is good, but this is ensuring something good," Lindor said. "It's not over yet, but the work here continues in Mexico. We have to play strong tomorrow, whatever happens."

Lindor mashed a two-run bomb in the first inning and added a solo shot in the seventh, the first hits of WBC '17 for the rising star. Baez iced the game with a three-run blast in the ninth. Puerto Rico also got RBIs from Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina and Astros teammates Carlos Beltran and Carlos Correa.

Mexico fell to 0-2 on home soil, meaning it needs a win Sunday against Venezuela (10 p.m. ET on MLB Network and MLB.TV) and some additional help to force a potential tiebreaker game. With Puerto Rico being the only two-win team in Jalisco, all four Pool D countries are still in play for the second round.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Lindor launches two: Lindor crushed a mammoth homer over the billboards in right field to give Puerto Rico a 2-0 lead two batters into the game. Lindor's blast off Mexico starter Miguel Gonzalez (White Sox) came on a 1-2 pitch and scored Angel Pagan, who led off with a single.

Lindor took Yankees Minor Leaguer Giovanny Gallegos deep to right in the seventh for what proved to be the deciding run for Puerto Rico. More >

Laird leads the way: Brandon Laird drove in Mexico's first run with a single in the first and then sparked a three-run rally in the seventh with a leadoff double. He scored on a single by Chris Roberson.

Baez seals it: Baez put an exclamation point on the night for Puerto Rico with his three-run shot in the ninth. As he watched the ball soar over the left-field wall, Baez took a few steps and then placed his bat on the ground before rounding the bases.

Error costs Mexico: A dropped foul pop by Mexico catcher Xorge Castillo came back to bite the team in a big way in the ninth inning, providing Puerto Rico with an extra out and setting up Baez's homer. With a runner on base and two out, Beltran lifted a foul pop and Castillo called off third baseman Laird, only to see the ball pop out of his catcher's mitt. Beltran eventually reached on a walk and Molina followed with a run-scoring single to give Puerto Rico a 6-4 lead. Baez then homered to left to put the game out of reach.

"It would have been different -- I am not going to -- it's not his fault," Mexico manager Edgar Gonzalez said. "It's okay. But he should have made that catch -- the catcher called it. If the game keeps 5-4, it would have been better."

QUOTABLE
"They have been waiting for this tournament for four years, and coming in here and not giving 100 percent in one game is inconceivable. They are going to come out [Sunday] like it was the first game in the round. We have very good talent, very good youth." -- Puerto Rico manager Edwin Rodriguez

"Every hitter has gone 0-for-9. Any time he picks up, he can carry the team, so that's part of baseball. He picks up his rhythm, and I want him -- the only way you get out of a slump is to keep attacking." -- Gonzalez on younger brother and Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez

WHAT'S NEXT
Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico is the home team against Italy on Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET. Puerto Rico wins Pool D with a victory.

Mexico: Mexico will be the road team against Venezuela on Sunday night, with first pitch scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. Mexico needs a victory and a win by Puerto Rico over Italy to stay in the mix for a potential tiebreaker.