March 7, 2026

Israel falls to Venezuela 11-3 in first WBC contest

A first-inning barrage was too much for Israel (0-1) to overcome, as the team fell 11-3 in its World Baseball Classic opener to Venezuela (2-0).

With a runner on first, Venezuela first baseman Luis Arraez hit a towering line drive to deep center field. Blue and White centerfielder Harrison Bader made a diving attempt, but the ball got past him and traveled to the wall, allowing the first run to score on a double.

WBC-veteran Salvador Perez then singled to bring in the second run. Eugenio Suárez then homered to left on a full-count slider, bringing home Venezuela’s third and fourth runs. The team would later plate one more run in the fifth.

La Vinotinto starting pitcher Enmanuel De Jesus quieted the Sabras for the first four innings, only giving up his first baserunner with one out remaining in the top of the fourth.

Israel was only able to figure out the left hander in the fifth. With two outs, catcher Garrett Stubbs hit a 92.4 miles-per-hour sinker down the right field line, just past a diving first baseman. The ball then trickled into foul territory, empowering a standup triple.

Designated hitter Matt Mervis then hit a ground ball just to the left of the pitcher. The second baseman charged and tried to make a quick throw, but he dropped the ball in what was deemed an infield single, allowing Stubbs to score the first Israeli run.

With a new pitcher the following inning, right fielder RJ Schreck launched a 413-ft blast to right center for a solo home run to plate the Blue and White’s second run.

Venezuela would take an overwhelming lead in the sixth by plating five more runs on three hits and three walks–including the second home run of the night for Arraez–before scoring its final run in the eighth.

In the top of the ninth, Bader would launch a one-out home run to deep center field to plate Israel’s third run. The next two batters each singled, but neither scored as strikeout and popup ended the game.

Israel next takes the field tomorrow, Mar. 8 at 7 p.m. ET, when it hosts Nicaragua (0-2).

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