Ozzie Albies hit a walk-off home run to give The Netherlands a 4-3 win over Nicaragua in Pool D play in Miami.
Albies was the star of the afternoon, going 2-4 with four RBIs. Xander Bogaerts, Ceddanne Rafaela and Druw Jones collected two hits each for the team, as well.
Nicaragua took the lead in the top of the 8th inning, when Jeter Downs launched a two-run homer to left field. The Netherlands went into the bottom of the ninth, trailing 3-1. With two outs, Rafaela singled, then Bogaerts doubled. With two men on, Albies came to the plate and walked the game off.
Erasmo Ramirez made a quality start for Nicaragua, allowing one run and five hits over five innings. Reliever Angel Obanda took the loss.
Japan 8, South Korea 6
Seiya Suzuki homered twice and drove in four runs to lead Japan over South Korea in Pool C play in Tokyo.
Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida added a home run each for Japan, as well. Suzuki, Ohtani and Yoshida combined for all eight of the squad’s RBIs. Yusei Kikuchi made the start, allowing three runs and six hits in three innings, and Atsuki Taneichi picked up the win after striking out the side in the seventh inning.
Do Yeong Kim hit the lone homer for Korea. Bo Gyeon Moon added a double and two RBIs. Jung Hoo Lee went 2-5 with an RBI. Starting pitcher Young Pyo Ko gave up four runs and three hits in 2 2/3 innings.
Canada 8, Colombia 2
Michael Soroka made a strong start on the mound, as Canada rolled to victory over Colombia in Pool A play in San Juan.
Soroka allowed one run in three innings. Canada’s bullpen (Indigo Diaz, Noah Skirrow, Micah Ashman, Eric Cerantola and Phillippe Aumont) would go on to surrender only one run, two hits and two walks over their combined six innings of work. Offensively, Owen Caissie hit a two-run home run, and Josh Naylor went 2-4 with an RBI and a run.
Colombia’s Austin Bergner took the loss, giving up two runs in two innings. Michael Arroyo and Harold Ramirez each collected two hits and an RBI.
Italy 8, Brazil 0
Sam Aldegheri dominated on the mound for Italy, striking out eight in 4 2/3 scoreless innings, to lead his team to a win over Brazil in Pool B play in Houston.
Relievers Alek Jacob, Gordon Graceffo and Claudio Scotti finished off the shutout for Italy. Dante Nori hit two home runs, and Dominic Canzone recorded a home run and four RBIs.
Brazil starter Enzo Sawayama began the game with four scoreless innings. However, the bullpen could not contain Italy’s offense.
