Netherlands survives scare, walks off Nicaragua with 2-out rally in 9th

Ozzie Albies hit a game-winning three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to lead the Netherlands over Nicaragua 4-3.

The Netherlands began its two-out rally on Ceddanne Rafaela’s single against reliever Angel Obando. Xander Bogaerts doubled, advancing Rafaela to third before Albies hit Obando’s first pitch over the wall in right.

The Netherlands improved to 1-1 in Group D. Nicaragua dropped to 0-2.

Jeter Downs hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth to put Nicaragua ahead 3-1. He drove a sinker from Netherlands reliever Lars Huijer over the wall in left-center. Huijer threw two innings of relief for the win.

The Netherlands stranded 14 base runners and were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position before Albies’ homer.

Rafaela, Bogaerts and Druw Jones all had two hits for the Netherlands.

Nicaragua starter Erasmo Ramírez plunked Albies with the bases loaded in the third, giving the Netherlands a 1-0 lead. Ramirez allowed one run and five hits over five innings while Netherlands starter Jaitoine Kelly threw two scoreless innings.