Dominican Republic Walks Off In Ninth To Eliminate Israel From Tokyo Olympics

Image credit: Jose Bautista (Getty Images)

Jose Bautista hit a walkoff RBI single in the bottom of the ninth, and the Dominican Republic rallied to beat Israel, 7-6, in an elimination game at the Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday.

Israel led 4-2 in the fifth inning and 6-5 entering the ninth, but couldn’t hold on. Johan Mieses hit a game-tying homer off of Zack Weiss to lead off the bottom of the ninth and Bautista hit a two-out RBI single to score Yefri Perez with the winning run.

Bautista was 0-for-9 in the Olympics when he stepped to the plate before delivering the game-tying hit.

Mariners prospect Julio Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and Royals prospect Jeison Guzman went 2-for-2 with two walks, two runs scored and an RBI for the Dominican Republic.

Ian Kinsler went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored and Danny Valencia hit a two-run homer for Israel, which was making its first Olympics appearance.

With the win, the Dominican Republic advances to face the United States Tuesday at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT. The winner of that game will advance to the semifinals to face the loser of Japan-South Korea.

Scott Kazmir is expected to start for Team USA against the Dominican Republic in his Olympics debut.