TOKYO -- Four years ago, the Netherlands were the World Baseball Classic's surprise team. Now, the Dutch are an offensive powerhouse, trying to slug their way back to the semifinals.
The Netherlands moved a step closer with a 12-2 win over Israel on Monday at Tokyo Dome, handing the surprise team of WBC 2017 its first loss in the tournament in a game shortened to eight innings by the early-termination rule. Didi Gregorius of the Yankees doubled, homered and drove in five runs as the Dutch evened their second-round record at 1-1.
Israel is also 1-1, meaning the two teams that advance from Pool E can't be decided before Wednesday's doubleheader. The Netherlands and Israel don't play Tuesday, when Japan (1-0) will face Cuba (0-1) at 6 am ET on MLB.TV and MLB Network as well as Sportsmax.
Israel likely needs a win over Japan on Wednesday (6 am ET) for a chance to advance to the semifinals. The Netherlands' final scheduled second-round game is against Cuba (Tuesday at 11 pm ET).
Netherlands starter Jair Jurrjens, who pitched in the Major Leagues for eight seasons with the Tigers, Braves, Orioles and Rockies, held Israel to one run in six impressive innings. Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons, Wladimir Balentien and Yurendell de Caster each had three hits for the Netherlands.
Balentien is a local star, having played the past six seasons with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows and set a Japanese single-season record with 60 home runs in 2013. So Japanese fans came to Monday's game with signs showing his nickname, "Coco." They also serenaded him with "Coco, Coco Balentien" when he came to the plate. In two games at Tokyo Dome the past two days, Balentien has a home run, three singles and five RBIs.
Israel has a strong bullpen, but the Israelis need to get to it with a chance to win. That happened Sunday when Jason Marquis went into the sixth inning against Cuba, but Cardinals right-hander Corey Baker didn't get an out in the third inning against the Netherlands.
Netherlands manager Hensley Meulens opted against having Jurickson Profar bunt when the 11th inning began with runners at first and second Sunday against Japan. Profar did bunt with first and second, none out in the third inning Monday. A big difference: Balentien had been removed for a pinch-runner Sunday. He came up behind Profar on Monday and delivered a two-run single.
There is nothing wrong with the way Gregorius plays shortstop, but Simmons is one of the best defenders in the world at the position. So Gregorius has been the Netherlands' designated hitter for four of the first five games in the tournament. He was 6-for-16 (.412) in the first four games, and had a run-scoring double and a three-run home run in the first four innings against Israel.
By Danny Knobler (MLB.com)
