Miami. Nobody actually expected it could happen but, as Team USAoutfielder Ryan Braun puts it: “In baseball and a small sample size anything can happen and does happen”. Puerto Rico defeated (4-3) Team USA and advances to the Final Round of the 2013 World Baseball Classic. It’s one more disappointment for the country that invented baseball and invented the World Baseball Classic. Manager Joe Torre commented: “I have been […]

Miami. It was a testament what excitement can be created with the World Baseball Classic. In front of a full house at Marlins Park in Miami, Florida the Dominican Republic had a feel of home field advantage against the United States in a 3-1 win, which sends them into the semi-finals. They are joining the Netherlands and Japan in San Francisco with the fourth berth being determined between Puerto Rico and Team USA on Friday evening.

Erick Aybar sent the fans crazy with a pinch hit RBI single off Craig Kimbrel, giving the Dominican Republic their first and final lead against Team USA. Then Aybar stole second and scored on a base hit by Alejandro De Aza. The Dominican Republic beat (3-1) Team USA and earned a spot in the semi-finals of the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Miami. Thanks to a late comeback Puerto Rico keeps in the race for the final round at the 2013 World Baseball Classic. They defeated Italy on Wednesday at Marlins Park, eliminating the European champion. Now the focus will switch to the highly anticipated clash between Team USA and the Dominican Republic on Thursday evening. The winner will clinch a berth in the semi-finals, while the loser gets a second chance against Puerto Rico on Friday.

Trailing 3-1, the team from the Caribbean scored 3 in the bottom of the eigth and now will face the loser between Team USA and the Dominican Republic

Miami/Tokyo. While the second round of the 2013 World Baseball Classic in Tokyo, Japan ended with a victory of Team Samurai in the seeding game over the Netherlands, the second round in Miami, Florida got underway on Tuesday. The results don’t show any surprises. The Dominican Republic came back from a four-run deficit to down a strong Italian team. Team USA out-pitched and out-hit Puerto Rico en route to a win.

Miami. Team USA may have been a disappointment early in the tournament, but Joe Torre’s side keeps improving and looks now like a very likely contender in the final round of the World Baseball Classic. In front of a 32,872 fan crowd the USA beat (7-1) a solid Puerto Rico and will now rest one day, before playing against the Dominican Republic for a spot in the semi final. Puerto Rico will play on Wednesday (7 pm US Eastern Time) against Italy an elimination game.

Miami. According to manager Marco Mazzieri, Team Italy couldn’t have done more on Tuesday: “The boys played very well and they left everything on the field. That’s what I requested”.

Tokyo/Miami. The 2013 World Baseball Classic is entering its decisive phase. Two semifinalists are already known with Japan and the Netherlands. After two-time WBC winner Team Samurai reached the final round in San Francisco on Sunday, the Dutch team – the reigning IBAF Baseball World Champion – followed one day later with an incredible win over Cuba.

Tokyo. The Netherlands are joining Japan as the second team to qualify for the semifinals at the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Once again the Dutch team was able to beat Cuba. This time a sac fly by Kalian Sams decided the outcome in the bottom of the ninth inning of a 7-6 victory on Monday evening at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan.