The first World Baseball Classic game in six years hit the diamond in Taichung, Taiwan as Cuba and the Netherlands opened play in baseball's marquee worldwide competition.
The two teams entered the tournament as favorites to advance in Pool A, which also includes Chinese Taipei, Panama and Italy. Cuba struck first but the Netherlands hit hardest, securing a 4-2 decision for their fourth consecutive victory in a WBC opener.
If you're a degenerate gambler as most of us may be, there are few things better than an 11pm EST baseball game. Sprinkling some monies on a late night game to try and recoup from your NBA/NHL loses from earlier in the night.
Key Moments Of The Game
Cuba built some early momentum on Netherlands starting pitcher Tom de Blok by loading the bases in the first inning. But de Blok escaped trouble by coaxing a needed double-play ball up the middle to get out of the inning.
There will be plenty of runs scored during this WBC, but there's only one first! The first RBI of the event belonged to Yadil Mojica, who plated Yoelkis Guibert with a screaming liner down the right field line.
With a runner in scoring position, Didi Gregorius (former Phillies SS, now playing 1B) came up with a clutch single in the bottom of the third to tie the game.
Newest San Diego Padres SS, Xander Bogaerts is known more for his offense than defense, but he flashed his glove at short with a pretty scoop and side-armed throw to beat the runner to the bag. Helped out by an impressive stretch from Gregorius at first.
Netherlands got their lead up to 4-1, Cuba responded with a run of its own, but the Netherlands' bullpen hung tough to win the matchup, 4-2.
3/8/2023 WBC Schedule
Panama vs. Chinese Taipai (12-5 Bot 9)
Australia vs. Korea 10pm ET
Netherlands vs. Panama 11pm ET
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