Team China stunned Team Brazil with five runs in the eighth inning to win 5-2 in Group A pool play of the World Baseball Classic.Brazil led 2-0 in the eighth but China scored its first run on a bases-loaded walk before Chang hit a soft fly ball to left field that scored two and gave the Chinese a 3-2 lead. China added two more runs on bases-loaded walks before Lu Jiangang recorded the final out.
“It was a very gratifying win because our kids are not used to this,” China manager John McLaren said. “Both teams played well, both teams could have won but we were fortunate to get the big inning at the end there.”
The win Improved China to 1-2 in pool play and automatically qualified the team for a spot in the next classic. Brazil will be forced to qualify for the next tournament. “Our pitching completely fell apart,” Brazil manager Barry Larkin said. “And it wasn’t just the pitching. We had many chances offensively but we weren’t able to capitalize so we had a two-run lead that should have been bigger.”
Japan plays Cuba on Wednesday in the final gameof Group A. Both teams have already advanced to the March 8-12 second round at Tokyo Dome.
