WBC: Surprising Israel win away from second round

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA— Ryan Lavarnway hit a two-run homer in the third inning and Nate Freiman added a three-run shot in the ninth to help Israel beat Taiwan 15-7 Tuesday and improve to 2-0 in the World Baseball Classic.

Israel chased Taiwan starter ChunLin Kuo in the first inning, getting four hits in a row on its way to four runs. Corey Baker went 42⁄ scoreless 3 innings, scattering three hits and striking out three. The 27-year-old right-hander is in the St. Louis Cardinals’ organization and reached Triple-A last season.

After beating Pool A host South Korea and Taiwan in its first two games, Israel can clinch a spot in the second round with a win over the Netherlands on Wednesday.

Israel entered the tournament ranked No. 41 in the world.