South Korea sets runs record
Team blasts China to snap mark for largest offensive output in tourney history
TOKYO — Kunwoo Park and Haseong Kim hit grand slams in consecutive innings, and South Korea set a World Baseball Classic scoring record with a 22-2 rout over China on Monday night in a game between already eliminated teams.
South Korea broke the runs record that had stood since Japan beat China 18-2 in the first round of the initial WBC in 2006.
South Korea (2-2) finished third in Group B and failed to advance past the first round for the third straight WBC. The South Koreans finished third in the initial tournament in 2006 and were runner-up in 2009.
China (0-4) has never advanced past the first round. The last-place finish in the group means it will have to go through qualifying to reach the 2026 tournament.
Dominican Republic 6, Nicaragua 1: San Diego Padres stars Juan Soto and Manny Machado homered, and the Dominican Republic picked up its first win of WBC pool play.
Winner Cristian Javier only allowed two hits and struck out four in four innings.
Australia 8, Czech Republic 3: Milwaukee Brewers prospect Alex Hall had four RBIS as Australia (3-1) advanced past the first round for the first time in five WBC appearances, finishing second in the group behind Japan (4-0). The Czechs (1-3) finished fourth.
Britain 7, Colombia 5: Jaden Rudd hit a go-ahead two-run double in the fifth inning, Harry Ford added a solo homer and Britain won its first game of the WBC.
Rangers: Two-time National League Cy Young Award winner Jacob degrom finally pitched in a game for the Texas Rangers, though it was on a back field against minor leaguers. The Rangers have been cautious with their prized addition since he reported tightness in his left side before the first spring training workout just less than a month ago. His first spring start came in the more-controlled environment for Triple-a Round Rock on Monday, when he struck out five of the eight batters he faced while throwing 20 of 24 pitches for strikes over two innings against Kansas City minor leaguers at the complex the big league franchises share in Surprise, Ariz.
Mets: Max Scherzer made his scheduled start Monday for the New York Mets in a minor league game. The right-hander allowed five runs (three earned) over parts of five innings. Three of the innings were cut short because of his pitch count. Tylor Megill, who could get a shot in the starting rotation due to lefty José Quintana's fractured rib, struck out three in four scoreless innings in the main game for the Mets against the Miami Marlins. The New York Mets expect to have an update this week on the status of Quintana. Mets general manager Billy Eppler said Monday that the team was still getting more information from doctors.
Yankees: Anthony Rizzo said he felt fine after taking batting practice Monday, a day after being scratched from the New York Yankees lineup because of his back. Rizzo didn't play again Monday, BUT the team has said it didn't believe the problem was serious.