Mexico Eliminated From WBC Despite 11-9 Win Over Venezuela; Netherlands Beats Israel

GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — Esteban Quiroz and Brandon Laird each hit a three-run homer, and Mexico beat Venezuela 11-9 early Monday at the World Baseball Classic.

Despite the victory, Mexico was eliminated. Venezuela will play Italy in a one-game tiebreaker Monday night, with the winner advancing to the second round.

Mexico, Italy and Venezuela all finished 1-2 in the first round of pool play behind Puerto Rico, which went 3-0. Mexico was eliminated on a tiebreaker — runs allowed per inning played.

— In Tokyo, Didi Gregorius drove in five runs to lead the Netherlands over Israel 12-2 and hand the tournament debutants their first loss of the World Baseball Classic. Gregorius doubled in a run in the third when the Netherlands scored four to take a 6-0 lead. The designated hitter then hit a three-run homer in the fourth to make it 10-0.