By Danny Knobler / Special to MLB.com
TOKYO -- Stacked with Major League stars, the Netherlands were a team to
watch heading into the World Baseball Classic. Now the Dutch are on the verge of a return trip to the semifinals, and their lineup is clicking.
A 14-1 win in seven innings over Cuba on Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome left the Netherlands with a 2-1 record in Pool E. Depending on the result of the Japan-Israel game, the Netherlands will either advance to directly to next week's final round at Dodger Stadium or have a Thursday tiebreaker game. A Japan win would guarantee the Netherlands a spot, while an Israel win would leave three teams at 2-1 and bring the tournament's tiebreaker rule into effect.
Former Major Leaguer Wladimir Balentien homered twice and drove in five runs for the Netherlands, which scored in double-digits the last two games and finished Wednesday's game in seven inning because of the early-termination rule.
By Chad Thornburg / MLB.com
For the first time since 2009, the Dominican Republic suffered a loss in the World Baseball Classic. In a rematch of the last Classic's title game, Puerto Rico defeated the reigning champions, 3-1, on Tuesday night in the Pool F opener at Petco Park.
Puerto Rico (4-0) was led by a stellar performance by its bullpen and a strong showing from veteran catcher Yadier Molina. In the first, he secured a throw to nail Jean Segura attempting to score at home for the third out, escaping what had been a no-out, bases-loaded jam.
"The motivation was there," Puerto Rican manager Edwin Rodriguez said. "We were waiting for this for four years."
Molina also homered, drove in two runs, threw out a baserunner for a pivotal out late in the game and helped guide the pitching staff through nine innings of one-run ball. "As Yadier Molina goes, the team goes," Rodriguez said. "He's the heart of the team."
LONDON- - Antonio Conte got the better of Jose Mourinho for the second time this season as Chelsea beat 10-man Manchester United 1-0 at Stamford Bridge to reach the FA Cup semi-finals on Monday.
TURIN, Italy-- Juventus coasted into the Champions League quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Porto on Tuesday after a first-half penalty and red card ended the Portuguese side's lingering hopes of a comeback.
CALIFORNIA-- Angelique Kerber displayed her grit and vaunted fitness as she battled back to beat France's Pauline Parmentier 7-5 3-6 7-5 in scorching heat on Monday to reach the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open.
