WBC 2017 Roundup 3/16: Venezuela is in trouble

Dominican Republic 3, Venezuela 0

Dominican Republic

Fernando Abad (W): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R,0 BB, 1 K

Gregory Polanco: 2-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI

Nelson Cruz: 1-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 K

Robinson Cano: 2-3, 1 RBI, 1 BB

Venezuela

Victor Martinez: 0-4, 3 K

Ender Inciarte: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 K

Yangervis Solarte: 2-2

Jhoulys Chacin (L): 4.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 3 K

With the pool out in Tokyo already finished with their second-round play, we had a quiet day of action in the WBC on Thursday. The only matchup was between the D.R. and a Venezuelan team whose very presence in the second round was controversial. They dropped their first matchup of the round to Puerto Rico, and really needed a win in this one to stay alive. Unfortunately, in a matchup between two of the most feared lineups in the entire tournament, the Dominican’s pitching was just too much to handle. Edinson Volquez started things off with 4 ¹⁄₃ scoreless and the bullpen, including Boston’s own Fernando Abad, kept things going. Venezuela is now 0-2 in pool play and in serious danger of elimination, while the D.R. moves to 1-1.