SEOUL, South Korea — Scott Burcham’s run-scoring infield single in the 10th inning led Israel to a 2-1 upset win over South Korea on Monday in the World Baseball Classic opener.
With a victory over Taiwan on Tuesday night, Israel would be in good position to advance to the second round.
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what: Kobalt 400
where: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
When: 3:30 p.m. Sunday
Television: FOX
Tyler Krieger’s bases-loaded walk from Won-Jun Chang forced home Nate Freiman with a second-inning run, but South Korea tied the score in the fifth on Seo Geong-chan’s RBI single against Jeremy Bleich, which scored Kim Jae-ho.
Ike Davis began the go-ahead rally with a one-out walk in the 10th off Chang-Yong Lim and took third on Ryan Lavarnway’s single. Tyler Krieger popped out on a bunt and Burcham, a 23-year-old in the Colorado Rockies’ organization, hit a three-hopper up the middle that Geon-Chang Seo gloved with a sliding stop. The second baseman had no play as pinch runner Mike Meyers scored on the infield hit.
Winner Josh Zeid struck out two in a perfect 10th. Starter Jason Marquis allowed two hits in three scoreless innings.
First-round games also are being played in Miami, Tokyo and Guadalajara, Mexico. Second-round games will be in San Diego and Tokyo, while the championship round is at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles from March 20-22.
ADRIAN BELTRE has passed the test of playing some spring training games for the Texas Rangers and is ready to join the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.
Beltre played his third game in four days Monday for the Rangers after missing the first week of with a strained left calf, an injury sustained working out at home before reporting to camp.
“I’m not crazy. It’s the game of baseball I want to play. Obviously if I’m good enough to play out here, I’m good enough to play,” Beltre said.
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