World Baseball Classic Pool D Scores: Netherlands Stun Dominican Republic in Opener

In what is easily the most shocking upset in the short-lived history of the World Baseball Classic the Netherlands stunned the Dominican Republic 3-2 in the opening round in Puerto Rico on Saturday.

The Netherlands collected just three hits on the day but took advantage of two first inning throwing errors to plate all three of their runs against the Dominican Republic side.

Eugene Kingsale started the game off for the Netherlands with an infield single and Sharlon Schoop followed with a sacrifice bunt but reached safely on an errant throw from catcher Miguel Olivo. After DR starter Edinson Volquez retired the next two batters he walked Yurendell de Caster to load the bases. Volquez then delivered a wild pitch that scored Kingsale and moved Schoop and de Caster up 90-feet. Sharnol Adriana then hit one up the middle that Hanley Ramirez gloved but threw away and both Schoop and de Caster scored for the 3-0 lead.

Sidney Ponson managed to keep the DR off the board for the first three innings but then surrendered a solo homer to Miguel Tejada to start the fourth before retiring the side. The Dominican Republic plated another run in the fifth after Hanley Ramirez drove home Olivo on a sacrifice fly and looked ready to at least tie the game but Rob Cordemans came on in relief and got an inning-ending double-play and then pitched another two scoreless innings to keep the Netherlands in front 3-2 after seven.

Dennis Neuman managed to set down the Dominican Republic in the eighth and in the ninth Leon Boyd came on to shut the door. Boyd walked Willy Taveras to start the inning and he advanced to second on a ground out but was gunned down trying to steal third by Kenley Jansen. Boyd then walked Hanley Ramirez before catching Jose Bautista looking to end the game.

The Dominican Republic now faces a must-win situation tomorrow when they face the loser of the Puerto Rico v. Panama matchup in Pool D play. Pool play in the World Baseball Classic is double-elimination.

Click here for more Sports News

About YourFINDit

YourFindit Community is a business, music and social networking community. YourFINDit provides members with a wealth of applications that enable them to create an in depth profile within YourFindit. Profiles include an About Me, Background and Lifestyle, Videos, Photo sharing, News, Music, Blogs, unique URL and networking with other members inside the YourFINDit community. YourFindit provides ADit to each member providing them the opportunity to have an exclusive profile (no outside advertising) displaying only banner ads they upload to their pages. Members can run their own ads or give or sell their ad space to advertisers at prices the member sets.

To create your profile sign up and within minutes you too can have your People profile running your ads and building your network with new members daily.

YourFindit is owned and operated by TransWorldNews, Inc. a news and press release distribution service.