Team Israel’s first game of the 2023 World Baseball Classic against Nicaragua on Sunday was supposed to be its easy game before playing powerhouse teams Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Venezuela. But it took a come-from-behind win to put the Nicaragua team away.

Playing before a crowd of nearly 20,000 at Miami’s LoanDepot Park, Dean Kremer—the first Israeli pitcher drafted by an MLB team and a current Baltimore Orioles starter—threw an impressive four shutout innings. Nicaragua’s only run came on a double in the fifth inning.

Horwitz and Noah Mendlinger crossing the plate were all that Israel needed to win 3-1, as the team’s reliever Robert Stock retired three batters in a row in the top of the ninth. The win belonged to Red Sox lefty Richard Bleier, who struck out two in relief in the eighth.

Israel sends lefty Colton Gordon of the Houston Astros farm system to the mound Monday against Puerto Rico at 7 p.m.

Dean Kremer of Team Israel pitches against Nicaragua at the World Baseball Classic on March 12, 2023. Credit: Courtesy of Major League Baseball.

Joc Pederson (left) of Team Israel congratulates teammates after beating Nicaragua in a come-from-behind win at the World Baseball Classic on March 12, 2023. Credit: Courtesy of Major League Baseball.

 

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