Ozzie Albies Hits 3-Run Walk-off Homer as Netherlands Stuns Nicaragua

Ozzie Albies secured a dramatic Netherlands victory with a three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning against Nicaragua.

Ozzie Albies propelled the Netherlands to a dramatic victory on Saturday, launching a three-run Ozzie Albies walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat Nicaragua. The game-ending blast came on the first pitch from reliever Angel Obando, clearing the right-field wall to secure the win. Before the decisive swing, the Netherlands had struggled significantly with runners in scoring position, going 0-for-6 and stranding 14 total base runners throughout the contest. This result moves the Netherlands to a 1-1 record in Group D, while Nicaragua falls to 0-2.

The ninth-inning rally began with two outs when Ceddanne Rafaela singled against Obando. Xander Bogaerts followed with a double that advanced Rafaela to third base, setting the stage for Albies. Earlier in the game, the Netherlands took an initial 1-0 lead in the third inning after Nicaragua starter Erasmo Ramirez hit Albies with a pitch while the bases were loaded. Ramirez finished his outing allowing one run on five hits across five innings of work. Jaitoine Kelly started for the Netherlands, contributing two scoreless frames.

Late Inning Pitching and Power Shifts

Nicaragua briefly took control in the eighth inning when Jeter Downs connected on a go-ahead two-run home run. Downs drove a sinker from Lars Huijer over the left-center field wall to put his team ahead 3-1. Despite surrendering the lead, Huijer earned the win after pitching two innings of relief. Offensively, the Netherlands saw multi-hit performances from Rafaela, Bogaerts, and Druw Jones, who each recorded two hits during the matchup.

In separate World Baseball Classic action at San Juan, Puerto Rico, Canada defeated Colombia 8-2. Owen Cassie provided the offensive spark with a go-ahead, two-run home run in the second inning. This blast came off emergency starter Austin Bergner, who was pressed into service after Julio Teheran was scratched during warmups due to right shoulder impingement. Bergner, 35, last appeared in the major leagues in 2024. Canada now sits at 1-0 in Group A, while Colombia drops to 0-2.

Defensive Highlights and Canada's Scoring Surge

Canada’s defense proved pivotal in the first inning when brothers Josh and Bo Naylor combined for a run-saving play. After Michael Arroyo singled off Michael Soroka, stole second, and reached third on a wild pitch, Reynaldo Rodriguez grounded to first base. Josh Naylor fielded the ball and threw to Bo Naylor at the plate to tag out Arroyo. This was one of four outs Colombia surrendered on the basepaths, including Rodriguez and Jesus Marriaga being caught stealing by Bo Naylor. In the ninth, Daniel Vellojin was thrown out attempting to reach second base on a dropped fly ball.

Michael Soroka earned the win for Canada, allowing four hits and one run over three innings. Arroyo drove in Colombia’s first run with an RBI single in the third, but Canada responded in the bottom half. Abraham Toro drew a bases-loaded walk from Emerson Martinez to restore a two-run cushion. Later, Toro added an RBI triple during a four-run Canadian outburst and eventually scored on a single by Bo Naylor.

Final Stats and Standings Impact

Josh Naylor contributed an RBI single in the seventh inning, scoring his cousin Denzel Clarke. Clarke had reached base after Marriaga committed an error by dropping a fly ball in right field. Colombia attempted a late comeback in the eighth when Harold Ramirez hit an RBI double, but Eric Cerantola ended the threat by striking out Gio Urshela on three consecutive sliders with two runners on base. Phillippe Aumont, making his first high-profile appearance since last pitching in the majors in 2015, struck out Tito Polo to record the final out of the game.

The Netherlands now looks to build on their .500 record in Group D following the Ozzie Albies walk-off heroics. Nicaragua remains winless despite the eighth-inning power display from Jeter Downs. In Group A, Canada’s disciplined baserunning and defensive execution against Colombia have placed them in a favorable early position for the tournament standings.