Josh Palacios hit a tiebreaking single within the sixth inning and Chadwick Tromp adopted with a two-run single because the Netherlands beat Cuba 4-2 on Wednesday within the opening sport of the World Baseball Classic at Taichung City, Taiwan.
The World Baseball Classic options 20 nationwide groups divided into five-team teams for round-robin play within the opening spherical. The prime two groups in every group advance to the quarterfinals, which will probably be performed March 15-16 in Tokyo and March 17-18 in Miami. The semifinals (March 19-20) and the ultimate (March 21) will all be held in Miami.
The Dutch and the Cubans are in Pool A together with Taiwan, Italy and Panama, with all video games to be performed in Taichung City.
Palacios is a Pittsburgh Pirates minor league outfielder, and Tromp is a catcher within the Atlanta Braves’ system.
Arizona Diamondbacks minor league right-hander Eric Mendez obtained the win for the Netherlands, throwing 1 1/3 scoreless innings in reduction. Dutch starter Tom de Blok, a former Detroit Tigers minor league right-hander, tossed three innings of one-run ball.
Cuban starter Yariel Rodriguez struck out six in 4 innings whereas permitting only one run on three hits and a stroll.
Pool B, with Japan, South Korea, Australia, China and Czech Republic, begins on Thursday in Tokyo. Pool C, that includes the United States, Mexico, Colombia, Canada and Great Britain, will start Saturday in Phoenix, and Pool D, consisting of Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Israel and Nicaragua, kicks off on Saturday in Miami.
–Field Level Media