March 4, 2026

Israel Falls 5-2 to METS to End Exhibition Schedule

In its final tuneup before the World Baseball Classic, Israel lost a 5-2 contest to the New York Mets that was close through seven and half innings.

Down by one run in the bottom of the eighth and with runners on second and third, Mets hitter Ji Hwan Bae singled through the right side–which was playing shallow to get the tying runner out at home–to clear the bases. A balk and then single by Jacob Reimer later allowed Bae to score.

After a groundout advanced the runner to second, Yohavio Cuevas singled up the middle to bring in Reimer as the fifth and final runner for the home team.

That scoring ended what amassed to only a very brief Israel lead.

With the score tied 1-1 in the top of the eighth, Blue and White centerfielder Cole Carrigg lined a triple to deep center field. The next hitter, RJ Schreck, then connected on a line-drive double that just got past the right fielder to bring home a go-ahead run, giving Israel a 2-1 lead.

Up until then, the contest was a very close pitching due. Both teams’ pitching staffs were dominant, barely allowing any baserunners for the first six innings.

Most of the excitement happened in the very first inning.  As Israel’s leadoff hitter, Carrigg immediately began the contest with a walk. He then stole second base and advanced to third on a wild throw from the catcher.

But Mets starter David Peterson smothered the early fire, striking out the next two hitters before getting a groundout to strand the runner.

The home team then copied the Sabras to start their offence, drawing a leadoff walk. But starting pitcher Ben Simon then mimicked his MLB counterpart, recording a popup and two groundouts to end the first inning scoreless.

In the bottom of the third, Mets top prospect Carson Benge smashed a towering fly ball to left. The outfielder gave chase, but the ball landed just feet above the wall to surrender the game’s first run.

It took four innings for Israel to respond to the Mets deep fly and tie the game 1-1. On the first pitch of the seventh, right fielder Zach Levenson connected on a 93.4 miles-per-hour sinker and hit a similar high-fly ball past the left field wall, this one landing only several feet higher than Benge’s blast. 

The only other time the Mets looked poised to score came in the bottom of the seventh, when leadoff hitter Ryan Clifford lined a double just past the reach of the diving left fielder. But with no outs, Israel relievers Josh Mallitz and Zack Weiss were able to record two groundouts and a strikeout to stop the threat, preserving what was then a 1-1 tie.

Israel returns to action on Saturday, when it plays its first WBC contest against Venezuela. First pitch at loadDepot Park in Miami is scheduled for 7 pm E.T.

_{Written by Israel Baseball News Staff, Chase Levitt}