Netherlands 024 400 02 12 15 1 Israel 000 100 10 2 8 0
The Netherlands got payback for their loss to Israel during the first round and handed the 2017 World Baseball Classic surprise team a 12-2 drubbing in eight innings. Both teams are now 1-1 prior to their last game in the second round.
The Dutch team quickly got to business, scoring ten runs between the second and the fourth to take a 10-0 lead. Two more runs in the eighth sealed the victory via ten-run mercy rule. New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius, who is the DH for the Netherlands in the WBC, went 2-for-3 with a home run, three runs scored and five RBI to lead the Dutch offense. Wladimir Balentien collected three hits, three runs and three RBI. Israel only scored through a solo home run by Nate Freiman in the fourth and a RBI single by Blake Gailen in the seventh.
Jair Jurrjens conceded five hits and a run in six strong innings for the win. Juan Carlos Sulbaran, Jim Ploeger and Orlando Yntema closed it out. Corey Baker surrendered three hits, four runs and two base on balls in two-plus innings to take the loss. Israel used eight pitchers overall in the game, trying to stop the Dutch offense.
Both teams have Tuesday off, watching the anticipated Cuba-Japan matchup. On Wednesday the Netherlands square off against Cuba, while Israel takes on Japan.