World Baseball Classic 2013: Japan Beats The Netherlands To Win Pool

Baseball newsIn a game that mattered only for seeding in the semi finals Japan bested the Netherlands 10-6 to win Pool 1 in the  2013 World Baseball Classic.  Japan and the Netherlands had already secured berths in the single-elimination semifinal round, and Tuesday’s win cinched a Pool 1 victory for Japan. Counting first-round play, the Japanese are now 5-1 in the 2013 WBC.

DH Shinnosuke Abe hit a pair of homers for Japan — both in the eight-run second inning, and center fielder Hisayoshi Chono drove in five runs.

Japan  Will be paired against the runner-up from Pool 2,  which consist of Team USA the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Italy. Pool 2 Games are being played today,  With Italy taking on the Dominican Republic and the USA meeting Puerto Rico later tonight.