Team Israel's surprise run into the second round of the World Baseball Classic ended Wednesday when Japan defeated the self-proclaimed Jew Crew 8-3 at Tokyo Dome.
The Israelis won their first four games of the tournament to advance to the second round, and were poised to score another upset of a baseball power Wednesday, locked in a scoreless tie with Japan through five innings. Josh Zeid pitched gallantly, giving up four hits over four scoreless innings before departing after throwing 67 pitches.
Japan, however, got to Israel's bullpen for five runs in the sixth inning, including a home run from Yoshitomo Tsutsugoh, and built the lead to 8-0 through eight innings before Israel scored three runs in the ninth.