Dominican Republic blanks Israel 10-0 in seven innings

MIAMI (AP) — Manny Machado homered for the second straight night, added a single and drove in three runs, leading the ruthless offense for the Dominican Republic, which eliminated Israel 10-0 on Tuesday to set the stage for a clash with historic rivals Puerto Rico for the World Classic quarter-final berth.

The Dominican triumph allowed Venezuela (3-0) to secure first place in Group D.

Reigning American League Rookie of the Year Julio Rodríguez Eloy Jiménez each had two hits for the Dominican.

Wednesday night’s Dominican-Puerto Rican clash at Miami’s LoanDepot Park will find the perennial Caribbean rivals with identical 2-1 records. The winner will continue in the competition and the loser will go home.

“For us it will be the most important game of the tournament and we will be ready for it,” said Puerto Rico manager Yadier Molina.

The Dominicans finished with 15 hits against Israeli pitchers. The last was a two-run double from Jean Segura to end the game in the seventh inning due to tournament leniency rules.

Jiménez quickly put the Dominicans ahead with a first-inning single.

Machado’s solo homer and Ketel Marte’s RBI double in the third set led them 3-0. Machado hit a slider from reliever Evan Kravetz and the ball flew 437 feet to the clubhouse in left field for his second home run of the tournament.

“The guys came out to hit hard, but the most important thing was that we didn’t have to go to our relievers,” Dominicans coach Rodney Linares said. “We silenced them and ours answered everything. The youngsters attacked early.”

The Dominicans extended the lead in the sixth set. Rodríguez hit a two-run double and Machado followed it up with a two-run single.

A night after going runnerless against Puerto Rico in an eight-inning loss, Israel reached its only runner in the third when Spencer Horwitz scored a single to lead the inning against starter Roansy Contreras.

Genesis Cabrera took the win.