Israel Upsets Korea in World Baseball Classic Opener

SEE ALSO: World Baseball Classic Schedule

SEE ALSO: Full WBC Coverage

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Scott Burcham hit a two-out RBI single in the top of the 10th inning to lift Israel to a 2-1 victory over South Korea in the opening game of the World Baseball Classic on Monday in Seoul.

Burcham (Rockies) singled home Mike Meyers (Red Sox) from third for the go-ahead run and Josh Zeid closed it out in the bottom of the inning to give Israel a historic win in its first WBC appearance.

Zeid (1-0) pitched three scoreless innings of relief to pick up the win. Chang-Yong Lim (0-1) took the loss.

Burcham, a 2015 25th-round pick from Sacramento State, struck out three times and stranded seven runners on base, but delivered when his team needed it most.

Ike Davis (Dodgers) drew a one-out walk in the 10th and advanced to third on a single by Ryan Lavarnway (Athletics). Meyers pinch-ran for Davis and, after Tyler Krieger (Indians) failed to get a bunt down and popped out, Burcham stepped up and hit a single up the middle that was gloved by second baseman Geonchang Seo to his right, but Seo couldn’t get a throw off.

Burcham finished 2-for-5 and Sam Fuld (Athletics) went 2-for-6 to lead Israel’s offense. Davis and Zach Borenstein (Diamondbacks) each doubled as Israel won despite stranding 14 runners. Jason Marquis started and pitched three scoreless innings for Israel.

Pool A host South Korea had chances to win but couldn’t deliver. The Koreans stranded nine men on base and were 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Their pitchers issued nine walks.

Israel is back in action against Taiwan on Monday night at 10 p.m. ET. Korea resumes pool play against the Netherlands on Tuesday at 4:30 a.m. ET.