SEOUL, South Korea (AP) " Nate Freiman's RBI double sparked a three-run first inning Thursday as Israel beat the Netherlands 4-2 to finish at the top of Pool A in the World Baseball Classic with a 3-0 record. Zach Borenstein and Ryan Lavarnway also drove in runs in the first for Israel, which clinched a berth in the second round when the Netherlands beat Taiwan 6-5 on Wednesday. The top two teams from the second round advance to the championship round at Dodger Stadium. The Netherlands' Rob Cordemans, who at 42 has now pitched in all four World Baseball Classics, allowed three runs. Japan, which secured a spot in the second round, had the day off and faces China on Friday.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 09, 2017 08:05 UTC