Team Israel defeated Cuba, 4-1, in Game 1 of Pool E yesterday at Tokyo Dome. The win marked the Israel's fourth straight victory (4-0) in the 2017 WBC. Cuba opened the scoring with one run in the second inning, marking the first time Israel trailed in the WBC tournament (29 innings). Israel countered with a run of its own in the fourth frame (RBI double by Ryan Lavarnway), and two runs in the sixth frame. The club tacked on an insurance run in the eighth inning to complete the scoring. Lavarnway finished 2-for-4 with a double and RBI, Blake Gailen (1/2, 2B, 1 BB, 1 SH) posted two RBI and Zach Borenstein the go-ahead RBI in the sixth inning. Starter Jason Marquis pitched 5.2 innings (4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 4 SO, 1 HB), throwing 69 pitched, 45 strikes…Zack Thornton (1.1 IP, 1 SO) picked up the win and Josh Zeid (1.1 IP, 1 BB, 2 SO) the save.
Before the game, Catcher Ryan Lavarnway was presented with the award for MVP of Pool A in Round 1. 
Team Israel plays Team Netherlands this evening, March 13, in Tokyo at 7pm (12:00 Israel time, 5am ET)