In baseball, the mercy rule is in effect: the game stops after five innings if one team is leading by 15 or more runs, or after seven innings if the lead is 10 or more. Venezuela 5 - Netherlands 2 In Miami, host Marlins player Javier Sanoja hit a home run at his own stadium. Willson Contreras contributed with a two-run double to highlight a five-run rally in the fifth inning, and Venezuela opened Group D action with a 5-2 victory over the Netherlands. You may be interested: Panama's pilot, José Mayorga, calls to 'turn the page'. March 06, 2026 Liverpool defeats Wolverhampton 3-1 and advances to the FAM Cup quarter-finals. March 06, 2026 Shohei Ohtani led Japan's offense in a victory over Taiwan. March 06, 2026 National Frontenis Circuit is in the semi-final stage. March 06, 2026 Panama will play a historic match against Brazil at Maracaná on May 31. Sanoja started in center field instead of Jackson Chourio, who did not play due to inflammation he still has after being hit by a pitch on his left hand during an exhibition game this week. 'We have talent on the team. Javier is our Super Mario, he can play in all positions.' Mexico 8 - Great Britain 2 In Houston, Jonathan Aranda hit a three-run home run to break the tie in the eighth inning and lead Mexico to victory in Group B. The game was tied 1-1 after solo home runs by both teams when Gary Gill Hill struck out the first two batters in the eighth. Japanese fans don't get to see Shohei Ohtani in person very often. He then walked Jarren Duran and Arozarena consecutively before Aranda lifted a low fastball into the left-field stands. DON'T STOP READING: Federico Valverde rescued Real Madrid. The crowd, overwhelmingly composed of Mexican fans, went wild as Aranda rounded the bases. Australia 5 - Czech Republic 1 Australia defeated the Czech Republic 5-1 thanks to a three-run home run from Chicago White Sox infielder Curtis Mead, remaining unbeaten in Group C. Australia (2-0) has several players affiliated with Major League Baseball organizations, including Mead. 'Anyone can do the job,' said Venezuelan manager Omar López about Sanoja. It was the first of the reigning champions' four home games during the group stage. The game was called after seven innings due to the mercy rule, which is being used in the Classic. They were able to enjoy the game on a sold-out Tokyo Dome on Friday. Ohtani hit a grand slam in the second inning — in the first at-bat he hit a double on the first pitch of the game but did not score — and Japan crushed Taiwan 13-0 on Friday in Classic World Baseball Classic Group C. Also on the team is Travis Bazzana, the first pick in the 2024 MLB amateur draft, taken by the Cleveland Guardians.
