- Team EBSM
Israel is Eliminated
In their final opportunity at the 2020 Olympic Games, Israel failed to kept a firm grasp on their Olympic ring. In a heartbreaking 7-6 loss, the Dominican Republic have secured a spot in the Olympic playoffs.
From the opening swing to the final run crossing the plate, this was truly anyone’s game.
The Dominican bats started an early tally toward victory. Emilio Bonifacio doubled through the left side and was sacrificed in by Julio Rodriguez to put one on the board for DR.
Jeison Guzman singled to right in the 3rd and advanced to 2nd on a single by Ramon Rosso. He then came around on an error by Ryan Lavarnway behind the plate.
Heading into the 5th the Dominican Republic remained ahead 2-0. Nick Rickles reached on an error by SS Jeison Guzman. Ty Kelly then took a walk to put runners on 1st and 2nd for Zack Penprase who singled through the left side. Rickles made it safely to 3rd but got greedy and was tossed out at the dish by Roldani Baldwin. Kelly stayed put at 2nd. With two away RF Mitch Glasser doubled to right bringing around both Kelly and Penprase to tie it up at two. Scotty Burchman singled to right and Mitch came around, giving Israel a one-run lead. Ian Kinsler singled to center next, driving in Burcham. Israel left the top half of the 5th ahead 4-2.
In the bottom of the 6th the Dominican Republic tied it up. Jose Bautista was awarded 1st on balls. Erick Mejia followed him the same way. Julio Rodriguez singled to center allowing Bautista to score. Mejia came around on a ground out by Johan Miese.
In the bottom of the 7th the Dominicans jumped ahead once again courtesy of a solo homer by Jeison Guzman deep to right. The lead wouldn’t last. In the top of the 8th Israel caught up and added one for good measure. Kinsler singled to left and was driven in on Danny Valencia’s homer to left. In case you’ve lost track that put Israel ahead 6-5 heading into the bottom of the 9th.
Johan Miese started the offensive half off for the Dominican Republic with a homer deep to left to tie things up. Melky Cabrera singled through the left side and Perez came on to run for him. Baldwin then hit a sac bunt moving Perez over. Jeison Guzman was intentionally walked putting runners on 1st and 2nd before a pitching change. Ramon Rosso then reached on a fielder’s choice that caught Guzman and advanced Perez to 3rd. Jose Bautista singled through the left side, driving in Perez who scored the winning run to allow the Dominican Republic to remain in the running for an Olympic medal.