Marlins’ Jean Segura’s debut caps dominant Dominican Republic win over Israel
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The Marlins hope they got a glimpse of what Jean Segura could provide this season when he made his first appearance in the 2023 World Baseball Classic Tuesday night.
Segura delivered a game-ending, pinch-hit, two-run double in the bottom of the seventh that gave the Dominican Republic a 10-0 win over Israel. The tournament’s mercy rule immediately concludes a game after a 10-run margin through seven innings.
“There is obviously anxiety to play in such an important event,” Segura said. “I believe Nelson (Cruz) and I were the only two from our team who hadn’t played and thankfully we both got our chances.”
Segura and Cruz both capitalized on their opportunities. The 42-year-old Cruz singled before Segura’s line drive to right-center drove in Robinson Cano and Cruz to begin yet another celebration in the pro-Dominican crowd of 33,307.
Segura signed a two-year free agent deal with the Marlins in the offseason. The veteran infielder played his previous four seasons in Philadelphia and helped the Phillies to the 2022 National League pennant.
The atmosphere and huge crowds Segura has experienced during the tournament games in Miami will be difficult to duplicate once the regular season begins. The Marlins averaged a National League-low 11,204 in home attendance last season as the club struggled to a fourth-place East Division finish.
“I don’t know if the crowd is going to be the same,” Segura said. “My job is to go out there and compete, play the game the right way and respect my teammates.
“It doesn’t really matter to me how the crowd is going to be in the regular season. I don’t think there’s any crowd in the world like the Dominican crowd.”
Brito Miami Private graduate Manny Machado hit his second homer of the tournament and also added a two-run single.
Machado’s single capped a four-run sixth and made it 7-0. American League Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez preceded Machado with a two-RBI double.
Ahead 1-0, the Dominican Republic increased its lead on Machado’s solo shot and Ketel Marte’s RBI double in the third.
For the Dominican Republic, the win sets up a showdown with Puerto Rico in the final group game Wednesday night. Both teams are 2-1, and the winner will join Venezuela in the quarterfinal round that begins Friday.
Israel was limited to one hit a night after falling to Puerto Rico in an eight-inning perfect game. The loss dropped Israel to 1-2.
