Israel shuts out Nicaragua to earn 1st win of WBC
Noah Mendlinger had three hits and an RBI as Israel beat Nicaragua 5-0 in Miami.
Baltimore Orioles right-hander Dean Kremer threw 4 1/3 innings in his start for Israel, which improved to 1-1 in Pool D. Kremer allowed two hits and struck out four.
Nicaragua dropped to 0-3 and became the first team in the pool to be eliminated. The Nicaraguans remain winless in tournament history after they went 0-4 in their debut in 2023.
Zach Levenson’s two-run single and RBI singles from Cole Carrigg and Harrison Bader in the fifth made it 5-0.
Four Israel relievers followed Kremer and kept Nicaragua hitless the rest of the way. Tommy Kahnle closed with a perfect ninth.
Mendlinger gave Israel an early advantage with his RBI single in the second.
Mark Vientos singled and Omar Mendoza walked against Kremer to start the fifth. Kremer then ended his 63-pitch outing by striking out Juan Montes.
Josh Mallitz relieved Kremer and, after walking Melvin Novoa, retired Freddy Zamora on a double-play grounder.
Nicaragua starter Carlos Rodriguez gave up one run and four hits in four innings.