World Baseball Classic recap: Japan advances to final round, eliminates Israel

We’re really getting down to it in the World Baseball Classic. Teams are being eliminated left and right, other teams are advancing, and there’s still a lot of baseball to be played. Let’s look at the last 24 hours of games, shall we?

Japan 8, Israel 3
This was a nail-biter until it very suddenly wasn’t. For five innings, it looked like Israel had a shot to beat Japan and force a tiebreaker in Pool E. Josh Zeid hurled four shutout innings, and all they needed was a little offensive magic and they could win. But Japan’s pitching was just as solid, and as we discovered in the sixth inning, it was even more solid than Israel’s. Japan’s offense burst open with a five-run sixth inning, and it was started by Yoshitomo Tsutsugoh, one of the stars from Tuesday’s game. Tsutsugoh led off the bottom of the sixth with a home run, and the Japanese lineup proceeded to score a total of five runs and bat around, giving Tsutsugoh the chance to homer and strike out in the same inning.

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Israel managed to score three runs in the ninth, but their rally fell short. This loss brings Israel’s time in the WBC to an end, though it was a magical while it lasted. It was their very first appearance in the WBC, and they made it to the second round with a team of mostly Quad-A players and a life-sized stuffed toy. That’s an accomplishment to be proud of. As for Japan, they roll on to the semifinals still undefeated and ready to do more damage, so watch out.

Puerto Rico 3, Dominican Republic 1
This was the marquee game of Tuesday night, and though the score wasn’t high, the drama, excitement and sheer skill didn’t disappoint. Both teams fought hard, but neither was able to establish a lead or even a solid advantage over the other. By mid-game, it was clear that the strike zone was floating and ill-defined, but there was nothing anyone could do about it. Not even DR manager Tony Pena, who got tossed for trying to remind the umpire where exactly the strike zone was. Strike zone issues or not, the Dominican Republic was helpless against Puerto Rico’s bullpen. Oh, and insane, ridiculous plays like this didn’t hurt. Yadier Molina proved he’s still one of the game’s best catchers, and helped Puerto Rico serve up the Dominican Republic’s first WBC loss since 2009 (!) to remain unbeaten in the tournament.

[Tim Brown: Win vs. Dominican Republic was worth the wait for Yadier Molina and Puerto Rico]

Netherlands 14, Cuba 1 (7 innings)
Ouch. This was a bloodbath, plain and simple. The Dutch started pouring it on immediately, scoring three runs in the first inning and not letting up for a second. They scored in every inning but the sixth, and with 14 runs on the board to Cuba’s single run, the game only lasted seven innings due to the mercy rule. Cuba was overmatched, and it’s understandable: the Netherlands had five outstandingly talented major leaguers in their starting lineup, and nearly all of them delivered in this game. But none of them accomplished what Nippon Professional Baseball star Wladimir Balentien did. Balentien hit two home runs: a three-run blast in the first inning and a solo shot in the third. All the Netherlands needed to beat Cuba was two runs, and Balentien did that with one swing of the bat.

This is the end of the road for Cuba in the WBC, and it’s a sour note to leave on. But they made it to the second round, and will automatically qualify for the 2021 WBC. As for the Netherlands, this win advances them to the semifinals, where it’s win or go home. And the Netherlands definitely doesn’t look like it wants to go home.

CAN’T MISS PLAY
Man, that Yadier Molina-Javy Baez play from the Dominican Republic-Puerto Rico game was absolutely bonkers. But since we’ve covered that at length, let’s go in a different direction. It’s Yoshitomo Tsutsugoh and his tiebreaking home run of magnificence from the Japan-Israel game.

That. Swing. Tsutsugoh violently cut through the air and the ball just leapt off the bat like it was running away from death. That home run is the definition of belted.

WHAT’S NEXT?
Wednesday night features just one game, and we won’t get another two-game night until Saturday. But considering the teams involved, you’ll want to tune in. Here are the details:

• Venezuela vs. United States (Pool F Game 2, San Diego): Wednesday 3/15, 9 p.m. ET, MLB Network and MLB.TV

More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:

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Liz Roscher is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at lizroscher@yahoo.com or follow her on twitter! Follow @lizroscher