The Dutch national team has lost their first double-elimination playoff game at the World Port Tournament in Rotterdam and will miss the final on Sunday. Chinese Taipei prevailed 4-3 on Thursday thanks to a three-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning. Netherlands catcher Gianison Boekhoudt first threw the ball past third base during a run-down, allowing the tying run to score. Shortly after a passed ball occurred to make it 4-3 for Chinese Taipei. The hosts led since the first inning and a two-run single by Dwayne Kemp.
In the second game of the day Japan bested Cuba 5-2 after an 11-inning thriller. Cuba overcame a 0-2 deficit with runs in the sixth and eighth. But in extra innings Japan added three runs in the 11th to win the contest.
Cuba now faces Curacao, while Japan and Chinese Taipei will determine the first finalist during Friday’s games. The Netherlands will take on the loser of the Cuba-Curacao matchup in the game for fourth place.