Israel – Spain 7-9 (10)
Spain 001 310 110 2 9 15 0 Israel 201 300 010 0 7 7 0
Spain has won the World Baseball Classic Qualifier in Jupiter, Florida. They stunned the favored team from Israel by a score of 9-7 on Sunday evening at Roger Dean Stadium. An attendance of 4,463 people saw Spain deciding the outcome with Yunesky Sanchez’ two-out, two-run single in the top of the tenth inning. With the win, Spain has clinched a ticket to the 2013 World Baseball Classic, which will be held next March.
It was the expected close game after Israel had beaten Spain in the second game of the tournament. The lead changed several times and all came down to the 10th inning. Engel Beltre and Paco Figueroa opened the frame with a walk and a hit by pitch. A sac bunt by Rafael Alvarez moved them over. And after a groundout by Barbaro Canizares, Yunesky Sanchez came through. His single through the middle plated both Beltre and Figueroa to give the team of manager Mauro Mazzotti a two-run advantage. Israel had one last chance to answer. But Ivan Granados pitched around a one-out walk to close out the victory.
Yunesky Sanchez was clearly the best player on the Spanish team on Sunday. The shortstop went 4-for-6 with two runs and three RBI and was part of three double plays, as Israel only went 3-for-17 with runners in scoring position. Jesus Golindano collected three RBI. Israel managed just seven hits in the game, but also worked 11 walks to stay in the game against Spain, which had 15 hits. Nate Freiman, the big star of the first two games with four homeruns, was limited to a single, two walks, a run and a RBI. Cody Decker drove in two. Joc Pederson scored twice.
Overall 13 pitchers came into the game, handing out a combined 16 runs, 22 hits, 18 walks (four intentional) and seven hit batters. Spain’s starter Eric Gonzalez allowed five hits, three runs and a walk in two-plus innings. Eric Berger was charged with eight hits and four runs in 3 1/3 innings for Israel, as he got the starting nod by manager Brad Ausmus. Ivan Granados ended up with the win, issuing just two walks in 2 2/3 scoreless innings. Josh Zeid surrendered two runs on one hit and a base on balls in two innings to take the loss.
Spain is now the 13th qualified team for the 2013 World Baseball Classic, which will be held next March. The full final game between Spain and Israel is available as video stream at www.worldbaseballclassic.com.