Saturday’s Results
Japan (1-0) 8, South Korea (1-0) 6 – Seiya Suzuki homered twice, while Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida each added a home run of their own to spark the comeback as Japan slugged its way to a narrow 8-6 victory over Korea in front of a sold-out crowd at the Tokyo Dome, improving to 2-0 in Pool C play at the World Baseball Classic.
Canada (1-0) 8, Colombia (0-2) 2 – Colombia scratched Julio Teheran and then lost its second game of pool play to Canada. Abraham Toro went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs for Canada, hitting a double and a triple. With the loss, Colombia fell to 0-2 and will need to beat either Cuba on Sunday afternoon or Panama on Monday afternoon to have a chance to avoid heading to the World Baseball Classic Qualifiers for the next tournament.
Colombia’s Julio Teheran scratched from World Baseball Classic start because of shoulder discomfort
The Netherlands (0-1) 4, Nicaragua (0-1) 3 – A storybook ending turned into a nightmare for Nicaragua, which was an out away from its first World Baseball Classic win until Ozzie Albies clubbed a three-run, game-ending homer for the Netherlands. The dinger was the first-ever come-from-behind game-ending homer in World Baseball Classic history.
Italy (0-0) 8, Brazil (0-1) 0 – Samuel Aldegheri, who pitches in the Los Angeles Angels organization, overwhelmed Brazil’s lineup with sharp command and swing-and-miss stuff, setting the tone early for a Team Italy staff that would combine for a four-hit shutout.
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Puerto Rico (2-0) 4, Panama (0-2) 3 (10 Innings) – A bases-loaded walk to Willi Castro in the bottom of the ninth sent Eddie Rosario home to the the game at two apiece, and a two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th by Darell Hernaiz got the rubios a 2-0 record in pool play. Panama faces Canada Sunday evening and Colombia on Monday, with Monday’s game holding the potential of being a win-or-go-to the World Baseball Classic Qualifier for both teams.
Venezuela (1-0) 11, Israel (0-1) 3 – Facing mighty Venezuela, they fell behind early and weren’t able to battle back, allowing four runs in the bottom of the first before recording the second out of the frame, ultimately losing their opener at the 2026 World Baseball Classic 11-3.
United States (1-0) 9, Great Britain (0-1) 1 – Kyle Schwarber hit a two-run homer and Gunnar Henderson had four hits and two RBIs as the United States rolled to a 9-1 victory over Britain on Saturday night at Daikin Park in Houston.
Chinese Taipei (1-2) , South Korea (1-0) – Following two shutout losses to open the tournament, Chinese Taipei rebounded with two crucial wins and must await the results of Australia vs. Japan and Australia vs. Korea to determine whether they can advance to the quarterfinals via a second-place tiebreaker.
Sunday’s Schedule
6 a.m. EDT – Australia (2-0) vs. Japan (2-0) – Tokyo Dome – TV: FS1 – Pool C’s undefeateds meet in prime time at the Tokyo Dome, with Australia’s Connor Macdonald facing Japan’s Tomoyuki Sugano. An upset of Japan would put Australia in the hunt for first place in the pool.
Noon EDT – Colombia (0-2) vs. Cuba (1-0) – Hiram Bithorn Stadium – TV: FS2 – Luis Patino starts a pivotal game for Colombia, which looks to avoid falling to 0-3. Cuba’s Denny Larondo will start for Cuba, which still has to play Canada and Puerto Rico following this game. A 2-0 start would help them avoid needing to qualify for the next World Baseball Classic.
Noon EDT – The Netherlands (1-1) vs. Dominican Republic (1-0) – loanDepot Park – TV: FOX – Luis Severino will start for the Dominican Republic against the Netherlands’ Arij Fransen. A win for the D.R. keeps pace with Venezuela (2-0) in Pool D, which is off on Sunday.
1 p.m. EDT – Great Britain (0-2) vs. Italy (1-0) – Daikin Park – TV: Tubi – Dylan DeLucia looks to get Italy to 2-0 in Pool B, while Great Britain’s Owen Wild gets the not as they try to avoid falling to 0-3 before facing Brazil in their pool play finale Monday.
7 p.m. EDT – Nicaragua (0-2) vs. Israel (0-1) – loanDepot Park – TV: FS2 – Both teams likely see this game as winnable, though Nicaragua also is looking for revenge for the 3-1 loss in pool play at the 2023 World Baseball Classic that sent them back to the World Baseball Classic Qualifiers. Carlos Rodriguez will start for Nicaragua against Israel’s Dean Kremer.
7 p.m. EDT – Panama (0-2) vs. Canada (1-0) – Hiram Bithorn Stadium – TV: FS2 – Jameson Taillon gets the call for Canada, while Panama hasn’t named a starter. At 0-2 after falling to Puerto Rico, the Isthmus needs a win desperately to avoid having to qualify for the next tournament.
8 p.m. EDT – Brazil (0-2) vs. Mexico (1-0) – Daikin Park – TV: FS1 – Taijuan Walker will start for Mexico against Brazil’s Eric Pardinho in Sunday’s nightcap.
Photo: Luis Arraez hits a solo home run during the fifth inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Israel, Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
