MIAMI, Florida — Six runs separated Nicaragua from winning the first tie in World Baseball Classic history on Sunday, when they witnessed a comeback by Israel that left them 3-1 and 0-2 in the event.
Up on the scoreboard 1-0, after a masterful pitching that kept the Israeli team intact for seven innings, the manager opted to call his best arm from the bullpen, lifting Jonathan Loaisiga to take the last six innings.
However, the Israeli bats didn’t last long against Loasigas, who allowed three earned runs with three hits allowed and a walk in one inning of work, costing the Nicaraguan the victory.
“Six out for victory, we have the best man in the team,” said Nicaraguan captain Sandor Guido. “There’s nothing to criticize. We played the perfect game, which we planned. But our best man came and couldn’t finish the job. That’s a shame. I don’t think anyone will doubt it. There’s nothing to speculate about.”
Loásiga took the mound behind Ronald Medrano, Leo Crawford, Osman Gutierrez and struck out six and walked three.
Israel’s own manager, former major leaguer Ian Kinsler, was impressed with how his team handled a pitcher of Loaisiga’s stature, who has a 3.55 career ERA over five seasons with the Yankees.
“I don’t know,” he said when asked about Loásiga’s team code. “The urn is their best and the best in the majors.”
Despite the tough defeat to Nicaragua, Guy remains hopeful that he will get his first victory in the World Baseball Classic.
“We must strive, we must work,” he said. “We are not going to let our guard down. We have to open some game and we are going to win it. No one said this tournament will be easy.
On Monday, they will face the Dominican Republic team, which will feature starting pitcher Cristian Javier for a game that begins at 12 noon ET at loanDepot Park in Miami.
For Nicaragua, it will be key to quickly overcome the bitter crisis if they want to achieve the goal of winning, taking into account that, as part of the so-called “group of death”, it was seen as presenting a duel against Israel. the choice of most of them. After hosting the Dominican Republic, they will end their time in the group stage when they beat Venezuela.
“You try to turn the page. Well, we die with the best man. We have to try to start tomorrow to compete and work”, Guy began. We had nothing to lose in this tournament. We enter the Classic with high hopes. We’re going to win the game.”
