Venezuela goes undefeated in pool play after win over Israel

MIAMI (AP) — Eugenio Suarez homered, singled twice and had three RBIs and starter Jesus Luzardo struck out five in four scoreless innings to lead Venezuela to a 5-1 victory over Israel. Venezuela had already clinched a berth in the quarterfinals.

Ronald Acuna Jr. had two singles while Eduardo Escobar also went deep for Venezuela, which finished with 10 hits.

Venezuela burst to a three-run lead in the first against Robert Stock. Acuña broke out of a tournament-starting 1-for-11 skid with an RBI single and Suárez hit a two-run single.

Escobar’s solo shot in the fourth made it 4-0 and Suarez connected with a leadoff drive in the sixth.

Jakob Goldfarb’s RBI single in the seventh snapped a 22-inning scoreless streak for Israel.

Venezuela joined Japan as the only group winners to finish unbeaten.

Israel finished 1-3 after reaching the second round in the 2017 tournament.